JK And Joel To Leave Virgin Radio

Presenters JK and Joel are leaving Virgin Radio after less than a year at the station, to be replaced by Trent FM’s Jo Russell.

JK and Joel were hired by Virgin’s former programme chief David Lloyd. They have previously presented the Sunday afternoon chart show and early breakfast slots on Radio 1.

Russell, one half of the Jo & Twiggy Breakfast Show on Trent FM, will host the weekend mid morning-show as well as some early breakfast programmes.

Russell will be replaced at Trent FM by the station’s afternoon presenter, Emma Caldwell.

Fellow Virgin DJ Robin Burke is also leaving, after almost seven years at the station.

Virgin Radio was sold by SMG for £53 million in June to a consortium including The Times of India Group (see Virgin Radio Sale Confirmed).

The station is due to be renamed and re-branded next month following a £15 million investment.

The latest RAJAR figures, for the second quarter of 2008, show that Total Virgin Radio had a weekly reach of 2.4 million listeners, down by 2.7% quarter on quarter (see BBC Radio 2 Weekly Reach Declines But Still On Top).

Virgin Radio: 020 7434 1215 www.virginradio.co.uk