Radio Ulster Sean Coyle

[elliemay1]

Anyone else from N.I annoyed that they are axing Sean Coyle's morning programme?

[bunkmoreland]

I don't listen to Radio Ulster as I'm a u105 girl,but have been reading about this today and it certainly seems like he's been treated very badly after all these years:-( Looks like ageism is working well.

[elliemay1]

Thank you for answering bunkmoreland. I am really upset as his programme is very popular so I don't know why they are axing it.

[bunkmoreland]

Why don't you send the station an e.mail, it won't make any difference to their decision,but It might make you feel a bit better. Hopefully they'll be inundated with complaints!

[elliemay1]

Yes, thank you, I intend doing that and I'm also going to write to Sean

[andy-hughes]

For every person who loves an 'institution' in radio, or indeed on TV, there are five more clamouring for a change.

Radio programmers are notorious for changing things that don't appear to need changing, the BBC is appallingly famous for doing it, witness their loss of Simon Mayo after manacling him to Jo Whiney for a disastrous few weeks, but I guess if those at the top didn't change things, someone would ask the awkward question - What do these people actually do, and why are we paying them six and seven-figure salaries, so someone has to suffer at the sharp end.

That's entertainment!

[Buenchico]

When Radio 2 has dropped some of their more 'senior' presenters it has often turned out, a few months on, that those those presenters had known health issues and the Beeb were simply 'retiring' them before they were forced to leave through ill health.

So I'm wondering if something similar applies in SC's case? (I note though that he was offered, and turned down, other work with the station, so he can't be totally unfit to work).

[elliemay1]

He has said that he is puzzled that his show is being axed and would like to stay on so I don't think he has any health problems

[Buenchico]

^^^ Desmond Carrington and Brian Matthew both said that they were fit to carry on but, regrettably, they were soon proved wrong.

[elliemay1]

I honestly don't think it is health-related

[jennyjoan]

well I've logged in for the first time in 2-3 weeks. I am appalled at Sean Coyle leaving.

To the elderly he was the Elderly's DJ and I know the sick and elderly looked forward to him and his crew and I enjoyed his music so much - since I got wonderful headphones - his was the very first programme I heard. First time on his show I heard the harmonica. First time on his show I heard a whistle. First time I heard dialect and interracting.

When I would be low I knew Sean would lift me up with his craic and music and actually prompted me to clean the house and dance around the house.

The guy who made the decision looks like a right smarmy git. Perhaps given he is 54 years old - maybe it is ageism. I do hope they get rid of him.

I never use Facebook but have added a comment there and have signed a petition. And contacted Sean himself. This was the programme I only understood (with headphones) and it truly brought me joy. Devastated to say the least.

I actually cried yesterday when I heard the news - you looked forward to it every morning.

I do hope that perhaps in the future another station may take him on.

[elliemay1]

jennyjoan, may I ask how you contacted Sean? I tried sending him an email but his BBC email is now defunct!

[jennyjoan]

Hi Ellie - Sean's email probably became defunct as quickly as he left.

Anyway type Sean Coyle in your url and you should get change.org - sign a petition first of all. You need to give some details ie your email etc.

My sister and I also contacted this number and they are taking note of the callers

03700100222

Thanks Ellie

[andy-hughes]

Sadly, history shows that the BBC has never once re-instated a presenter on the basis of pressure from public opinion, so sadly any petitions or complaints are doomed to be ignored.

[jennyjoan]

I know Andy - but it's worth a shot. Another presenter George Jones - same thing happened to him and he said he was never the same - again it was BBC.

[jennyjoan]

Andy I know you are on the music scene per se. Would it ever be possible that Sean could be employed by another Irish station?

[jennyjoan]

Or (maybe a stupid question) could he have his own.

[andy-hughes]

jennyjoan - // Andy I know you are on the music scene per se. Would it ever be possible that Sean could be employed by another Irish station? //

It's perfectly possible.

The owners of comercial stations will be aware of the change in Mr Coyle's circumstances, and they may well come in for him if they think he can bring an audience with him.

[andy-hughes]

jennyjaon - // Or (maybe a stupid question) could he have his own. //

It's not a stupid question - some presenters do strike out on their own on the internet, I believe Mike Harding did so when Radio Two dispensed with his services.

[elliemay1]

Thank you all. Jennyjoan, I signed the petition last night. I retyped the email address that I found for Sean at the BBC website and this time it went. So he may or may not get my message. I will also phone the number you gave me, thanks

[ichkeria]

Didn’t Gerry Anderson transfer to Radio 4 and there was a petition to get him off!

Gerry Anderson was great but whoever thought he’d go down well with that listenership needed their head felt