2Day FM presenters bombarded with abuse after Duchess of Cambridge radio prank
Radio presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian, whose initial apology for the prank call to the hospital treating the Duchess of Cambridge was followed by further boasts about it, have been bombarded with online abuse following the news that nurse Jacintha Saldanha has died.
The 2Day FM pair remarked during their Hot30 Countdown show how their efforts were the “easiest prank call ever made”.
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the King Edward VII hospital in London on Thursday – where the Duchess of Cambridgehad been admitted with severe morning sickness
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Police officers on duty outside King Edward VII’s Hospital, in central London last night after nurse Jacintha Saldanha was pronounced dead at an address near the hospital where the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge had been treated for a severe form of morning sickness
The duo have continued to boast about the gag on Twitter while in a video on the radio station’s website they laugh and joke about it.
Greig giggles: “They were the worst accents ever and when we made that phone call, we were sure 100 people at least before us would have tried the same thing.”
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Sitting beside her in what appears to be their studio, Christian adds: “We got through and now the entire world is talking.”
Meanwhile, a banner on the radio station’s website continues to proclaims it to be the “biggest royal prank ever”.
The pair, who only began hosting the nightly chart show earlier this year, were clearly delighted with the amount of publicity the gag had given them.
Greig, whose Twitter profile proclaims: “I co-host the Hot30 Countdown and Hot30 TV, I attempted to race around the world on the Amazing Race Australia and I have a half decent rack”, has continued to tweet about the global reaction to the prank over the past few days.
In their earlier apology for the call, the presenters said: “We were very surprised that our call was put through. We thought we’d be hung up on as soon as they heard our terrible accents. We’re very sorry if we’ve caused any issues and we’re glad to hear that Kate is doing well.”
The prank call was pre-recorded and vetted by lawyers before being broadcast to listeners in Sydney.
A spokeswoman for the station said: “2Day FM sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused by the inquiries to Kate’s hospital.
“The radio segment was done with lighthearted intentions. We wish Kate and her family all the best and we’re glad to hear she’s doing well.”
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said it has received complaints about the gag.
It is not the first time the radio station has got into trouble with the ACMA for its broadcasts.
In 2009 a 14-year-old girl was pushed into revealing she had been raped while attached to a lie detector live on air.
Earlier this year presenter Kyle Sandilands was found to have breached the decency provisions of the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice after he called a journalist “a fat slag”.
Comments
by pillowfight
Sunday, December 09 2012, 8:50PM
“Simply stated, this woman over reacted - ridiculous taking your own life over something as stupid as a prank call - what the hell was she thinking? It wasnt her fault the prank call was made - and it is not the DJ's fault that she killed herself, she killed herself of her own free will, no one prompted her to do it - I have no sympathy for this woman - but only her family”
by katachua
Sunday, December 09 2012, 8:41PM
“Re my post:
"@pillowfight
"Hee, Hee."
QED"
There seems to be some confusion about this post. I was pointing out that pillowfight's post of "Hee, Hee" was conclusive proof that he is an idiot. Hence the QED. Follow the thread, please.”
by marmeliser
Sunday, December 09 2012, 6:58PM
“who's more important - a nurse or a radio presenter?? and who gets paid more?
who's more important? - a nurse or 2 individuals - albiet blameless on this - of privileged birth? and who gets more attention?
this sad story indicates how the media at times have the morals of the sewer”
by pillowfight
Sunday, December 09 2012, 5:00PM
“No shame here. She failed in her job and despite the fact that she had two children she felt the need to kill herself because of a bit of ridicule. Shame on her.”
by KBillies
Sunday, December 09 2012, 1:54PM
“Pillow fight if you consider yourself a human being in the proper sense of the word you will feel enormous shame.”
by oldbristolian
Sunday, December 09 2012, 1:47PM
“This is such a sad story and the thoughts of most Bristolians go to her family and friends...
I just wonder with the sort of local radio we have her in the west is there a similar disaster just around the corner? really hope not..”
by Stephen_L
Sunday, December 09 2012, 11:58AM
“Purely for information, of course, 2Day FM's 'phone number is 00 61 2 9375 1041.”
by KBillies
Saturday, December 08 2012, 10:12PM
“If journalists are the most despised profession, nurses are surely the most loved.
The consequences of what they did may not have been foreseeable, but most people will see them as scum and on this December weekend who would argue?”
by THEIRONS
Saturday, December 08 2012, 8:18PM
“Pillowfight - What a pathetic excuse for a human being you are . I know doubt you will get a perverted pleasure from others condemnation of your comments.”
by katachua
Saturday, December 08 2012, 4:57PM
“@pillowfight
"Hee, Hee."
QED”