October 26th 2024.
According to recent reports, tensions have been running high between BBC Radio 5 Drive hosts Tony Livesey and Clare McDonnell, causing chaos in the studio. The alleged fallout between the two presenters was sparked by an offensive email that was mistakenly sent by Tony to Clare.
Tony and Clare have been co-hosting 5Live's drivetime show since February 2022, but they have not been seen together in the studio since May. It is believed that Clare is now refusing to work with Tony, resulting in the pair taking turns hosting the show to avoid each other.
This feud has caused major disruption at the station, with the BBC reportedly planning to permanently separate them by moving Tony back to the late-night slot he originally joined in 2010. This change, set to take place in December, has been described as a "kick in the teeth" to Tony, who has been with the BBC since 2006.
A source revealed, "She [Clare] no longer wants to work with him and that has caused total chaos at the station. People are being shifted all over the shop and into different slots, which isn't going down well." The tension between the two has reportedly made the atmosphere at 5 Live quite frosty, with the source adding, "It has become a nightmare there."
Since the incident, Tony and Clare have been taking turns hosting the drivetime slot separately. On Monday and Tuesday, Johnny I'Anson filled in for Clare, while Tony was joined by journalist and political correspondent Leila Nathoo on Wednesday and Thursday. Starting in December, Tony will permanently move back to the late-night slot, which has not gone over well with him.
A source shared, "Tony has lost a really good gig because of that message to Clare. It's a massive kick in the teeth for him. Clare is happy she was listened to by station bosses and thinks Tony has got exactly what he deserves." In Tony's place, Chris Warburton, who has been hosting Weekend Breakfast since 2014, will join Clare as the new permanent host of Live Drive.
It's no secret that things have been tense between Tony and Clare for a while now. Last year, their on-air exchange took a snippy turn as Tony praised the professionalism of Wimbledon correspondents. Clare jokingly responded, "It'll be good to work alongside professionals, for a change, I'm looking forward to it." To which Tony replied, "Everyone's having a go now – what's happening?" causing laughter from both of them.
But this recent incident seems to have taken their feud to a whole new level. Metro has reached out to the BBC for a comment on this story, but no response has been given yet. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can get in touch with the entertainment team at The Agency by emailing us, calling 020 3615 2145, or visiting our Submit Stuff page – we would love to hear from you!
In other news, Mark Lawrenson has tipped his BBC colleague to replace Gary Lineker as the next host of Match of the Day. And it seems that Graham Norton has some choice words for certain celebrities after they appeared on his BBC chat show. As for EastEnders star Danny Dyer, he recently revealed an awkward scene that didn't quite work out as planned.
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