Ronnie Irani has finally been sacked from his much-criticised role on the talkSport flagship breakfast show alongside Alan Brazil.
The former England cricketer, who lasted six years on the programme despite receiving plenty of brickbats over his questionable broadcasting ability, was told by managing director Scott Taunton this week that his contract would not be renewed in August.
So Irani, who described himself as ‘gutted’ by the decision, decided to quit immediately and yesterday was his last show. Brazil, whose contract runs out in December, was said to be ‘emotional’ about his sidekick’s departure.
Having put up with Irani’s amateurish style for so long, it does seem strange that talkSport have ditched him before the start of an Ashes summer when at least his cricket expertise would have brought authority to the show.
Irani’s exit followed the appointment of new programme director Liam Fisher, who wanted to make changes to a show whose audience figures have stalled compared to other talkSPORT shows such as Keys & Gray.
Irani is known to be a close friend of station boss Taunton, who has nevertheless allowed Fisher, who replaced Moz Dee, to make the changes he wants.
Brazil is expected to be joined in future by a varied cast of co-presenters including Matt Holland, Ray Parlour and Brian Moore, who is likely to be even more irritating than Irani.