London, Jan 28 (IANS) An Australian radio show whose hosts were behind a prank call that led to the death of Indian-origin nurse Jacintha Saldanha has been axed by the parent company but the RJs were not fired. Saldanha, 46, was found hanging after she was tricked into putting through a call to the ward where a pregnant Kate Middleton, wife of Prince William, was being treated. Radio hosts Mel Greig and Michael Christian pretended to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. The pair's "Hot 30" show has been suspended temporarily, and station owners Southern Cross Austereo announced that 2Day FM was launching a new replacement programme, the Daily Mirror reported. Greig and Christian have been off air since the incident. The news that their show has been axed sparked speculation that the pair were also fired. However, company CEO Rhys Holleran, said: "We look forward to Mel and MC returning to work when the time is right, in roles that make full use of their talents - we will discuss future roles with them when they are ready." During the two-minute prank call, the radio presenters spoke in English accents and referred to Kate as "my granddaughter". They even had a third person in the studio bark in the background and joked about "feeding and walking the corgis", the report said.
|