Jon Gaunt
Jon Fat Gaunt (born 3 March 1961 in Coventry), is a right-wing former radio talk show presenter and newspaper columnist for The Sun.
Initially a left-wing supporter of CND, he studied drama at the University of Birmingham, founded a theatre co-operative in Coventry and wrote political plays. After the theatre project failed he was pursuaded by old acting friend Moz Dee (currently the programme director at talkSPORT) to audition for the local BBC radio station for which Dee worked.[1]
Gaunt has worked for many radio stations, including BBC Three Counties Radio, BBC WM, BBC London 94.9, and BBC Coventry & Warwickshire. Gaunt was awarded three Sony Radio Academy Gold Award (one as an individual, two as part of a team) in 2001.[2] Gaunt is regularly seen airing his views on ITV1's The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Gaunt has been no stranger to controversy in his career, having faced the Broadcasting Standards Commission five times.[3] He most recently hosted a mid-morning current affairs show on talkSPORT. On November 18, 2008 it was announced that talkSPORT had terminated Gaunt's contract following an interview with Redbridge Council's Michael Stark on November 7, in which Gaunt branded Councillor Stark a "Nazi," and "an ignorant pig" live on air.[4] The decision followed an internal talkSPORT investigation that was instigated following complaints about the content and nature of the broadcast. The radio station later apologised to the councillor for the manner in which the interview was conducted.
Talksport Radio confirmed that they had sacked Gaunt on 19 November. A statement was released by the station explaining what had happened. Gaunt has vowed to come back from this event and continue to fight for children in the care system.
In January 2009 Jon Gaunt hired Howe & Co solicitors to pursue a legal action against Talksport in respect of the termination of his contract.[5] Talksport claim not to have received documentation of any such legal action against them.[6]
References
- ^ Burrell, Ian. "Jon Gaunt: 'I'm the voice of ordinary folk'", The Independent, January 28, 2008. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
- ^ "Sony Awards 2001: The winners", BBC News, April 30, 2001. Retrieved October 12, 2006.
- ^ "Local hero", The Guardian, May 7, 2001. Retrieved October 12, 2006.
- ^ "'Nazi' remark presenter is sacked". BBC News. 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
- ^ The Guardian (20 January2009). ""Jon Gaunt still pursuing legal action against TalkSport"". the Guardian.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|1=and|2=(help) - ^ talkSPORT1089.co.uk (09 January2009). ""Gaunt to Sue talkSPORT Over Sacking "". the Guardian.
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