Blind DJ loses BBC job

Jun 15 2008 by Robert Weatherall, Sunday Sun

ONE of the region’s best known radio presenters has left his job after being suspended for two months.

Blind DJ Mark Turnbull is believed to have made several remarks that displeased BBC bosses.

The presenter on BBC Tees, formerly Radio Cleveland, hasn’t been heard on the airwaves for the past eight weeks since being suspended.

A BBC spokesman refused to reveal the reason for Mark’s departure.

A statement said: “After 18 years with the BBC Mark Turnbull has left BBC Tees.

“While this may disappoint some listeners to BBC Tees, hopefully any future changes to the schedule will compensate for Mark moving on.”

Despite the BBC’s refusal to say whether the 45 year-old presenter had left voluntarily or been forced to leave one source close to the BBC Tees newsroom said: “Mark has been unpopular at the station for sometime since there was a change of management.

“Under the old regime he was highly regarded but in recent months it has been made clear his style of broadcasting no longer fits in.”

He faced disciplinary action after off-the-cuff remarks on air including one about Radio Newcastle referring to itself as “The station for the North East”.

The source added: “Mark rightly pointed out that the North East is a big place and Radio Newcastle doesn’t broadcast to all of it but BBC bosses thought it was bad form for him to be criticising another one of their stations.”

Back in 2002, when Mark was promoted to working on weekdays, he was described by then managing editor Andrew Glover as “a hidden gem” and “one of the best known journalists in this area and an excellent producer”.

Mark presented the early breakfast show between 5am and 7am each weekday and also presented a Christian-themed breakfast show each Sunday.

Fans of Mark wished the presenter well.

Paul Anderson, writing on the Mark Turnbull Sunday Show Appreciation society page of Facebook, said: “Well this group’s a bit f***** now, isn’t it?

“At least it’s official now that he’s gone so he can get on with his career. Here’s wishing him all the very best.”