Radio duo row unresolved

Press, 29 August 1989, Page 1

Radio duo row unresolved

By

DAVID CLARKSON

Champagne was noticeably absent during a five-hour meeting at Christchurch’s Parkroyal Hotel yesterday between the suspended broadcasters, Ken Ellis and James Daniels, and their radio station manager, Mr Kevin White. The long session ended without a resolution of the broadcasters’ two-week suspension for on-air drinking on Friday. Nor has there been any settlement of the plans of the two 91 Stereo ZM morning show hosts to stand for the Christchurch mayoralty. Ellis and Daniels have admitted that they drank three glasses of champagne over a two-hour period on Friday. They

say there was no suggestion of intoxication. “We agree that we were in breach of broadcasting rules, but feel the two-week suspension without pay was excessive,” Ellis said. No time has been set, but Mr White expects to have another meeting with the pair this week. The Parkroyal had been chosen for yesterday’s meeting because it was neutral ground, he said. Ellis and Daniels said in a statement issued after the meeting that they discussed going back on air at 91 Stereo ZM. Ellis would not comment on a report that they had received a job offer from an Australian radio station.

The plight of Ellis and Daniels has touched the hearts of the manageress and patrons at the Old Star Tavern, in Lincoln Road. The manageress, Ms Brenda Lowe, said she and the patrons had pledged $lOO to help tide the two broadcasters over their fortnight without pay. “I listen to them when I wake up in the morning, and they cheer me up,” she said. When told of the offer, Ellis slipped into his finest Telethon manner to politely decline the cash. “We are very wonderfully touched,” he said. “But we hope that there is a successful resolution of this whole business. We don’t ask the audience to match her lovely offer.”