DJ Simon Mayo has told how he landed at the centre of a legal dust-up with the BBC when he took the p out of PopMaster, the Radio 2 legend Ken Bruce’s popular quiz.
The BBC got in touch when, months after his departure from Radio 2 in 2018, Simon joined Scala Radio.
The 62-year-old broadcaster said: “On the first day we did a feature inspired by Ken Bruce’s PopMaster. We did an opera-based quiz called OpMaster, which was really just a gag.
“There were some legal conversations that happened and we didn’t do it again. But it made people laugh.
“But everyone is cool, everyone is grown up, and radio is an intelligent industry. As far as I know, nobody has any problems.”
The BBC website reviewed his first Scala show in March 2019, noting his OpMaster feature was “strangely reminiscent” of PopMaster.
He is now launching a Drivetime show on Greatest Hits Radio.
And he hopes the BBC will not have issues as he revives features from his old Radio 2 show, including Friday Muppets, his banana boat jingle, and Confessions.
He hopes to lure his Radio 2 listeners from the “dark side” when he reunites with sports presenter Matt Williams and food guru Nigel Barden.
Simon left Radio 2 in 2018 after the Drivetime slot he presented for eight years was merged with Jo Whiley’s in a bid to draw female listeners.
He said regular listeners were not impressed.
He said: “When things are changed, people don’t like it. They felt annoyed, and hopefully they’ll come over and find us on Greatest Hits.”
Simon, who will continue his weekend shows on Scala, says his new station, which plays hits from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, is “refreshingly clearly defined”.
He said: “Listening to Greatest Hits is a bit like accepting you’re a 33-inch waist. You’re not a 31 any more. Or even a 34... and it’s fine.”
He will go up against Sara Cox, DJ on his old Radio 2 show. She has continued his All Request Friday feature, which he now plans to introduce himself at Greatest Hits Radio.
The soon-to-be rivals have been in contact ahead of Monday’s launch.
He said: “There’s always rivalry between presenters on radio stations. However, more than anything there is support and comradeship.
“I’ve already messaged Sara. I just said, ‘I’m back around... everything is positive as far as I’m concerned’. She said, ‘That’s great, I wish you all the best. I hope it goes very well’.
“There’s room for all of us. Her show will be different – I’ll do it my way, she does it her way.”
- The Simon Mayo Drivetime Show on Greatest Hits Radio, 4pm, Monday, March 15. See greatesthitsradio.co.uk.
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