Show axe leaves DJ with the blues

Black Country DJ Mike Hollis has been left singing the blues after his shows were axed from the airwaves.

Mike, from Pedmore, Stourbridge, is one of a number of presenters at Smooth Radio who have found themselves without a job after bosses decided to replace regional shows with ones broadcasting across the whole network.

But fans of his show have called for the popular DJ to be reinstated.

He was on air between 8pm and midnight Monday to Friday and also had a weekly soul show on Saturdays between 5pm and 8pm, which have all been cancelled.

He said: "We were told of the possibility of networking shows. But within seven days of being told that was it. It is basically a cost-cutting exercise."

Mike, who finished at the station in Hagley Road, Birmingham, after 14 months on June 7, said he was particularly sad about the loss of the soul show.

Mike's soul show has been replaced with a similar programme called The Soul Train presented by Andy Peebles and Smooth spokeswoman Alison Halstead said the station hoped listeners would like the new show.

She said: "We are still committed to providing local output and the majority of our output is local."

But fans seeking Mike's reinstatement are asked to write or email John Simons, Group Programme Controller, Smooth Radio, Sterling Court, Tingley, Wakefield, WF3 1EL.

By Mark Mudie