Axe falls at Brisbane’s 4BC with Patrick Condren, Ian Skippen and Loretta Ryan among those sacked

UPDATE: The axe has fallen at Brisbane’s 4BC, with several high-profile presenters losing their jobs, with station bosses to announce a new line-up ‘shortly’.

4BC

VETERAN radio presenter Ian Skippen and his co-host Loretta Ryan have both been axed from embattled Fairfax Radio station 4BC.

Morning talkshow host Patrick Condren has also been sacked.

Condren went into a meeting straight after his Mornings program finished today and was advised the show had been axed.

JUST IN: 4BC mornings host Patrick Condren has confirmed his show has been axed. Ian Skippen sacked earlier. #9News pic.twitter.com/UnacUIq4jB

— Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) April 10, 2015

He told waiting media outside the studios that it was a sad day for local radio.

It is believed that Condren’s morning show will be replaced by Ray Hadley’s 2GB show broadcast from Sydney.

4BC announcer Patrick Condren has today confirmed his sacking.

It is also understood that production staff from breakfast, mornings and evenings all lost their jobs today.

The popular breakfast duo of Skippen and Ryan, who held a 5.1 point audience share in the most recent ratings survey, were called into meetings with Fairfax Radio boss Adam Lang this morning and told their services were no longer required.

Lang refused to speak to The Courier-Mail but a statement has been issued under his name, confirming that “a total of 18 roles will be leaving our business”.

“4BC on-air presenters, including Breakfast team Ian Skippen and Loretta Ryan, Mornings presenter Patrick Condren, Evening Presenter Walter Williams and Weeekend Breakfast announcer Murray Shoring will finish their roles within the station today,” the statement says.

Weekend breakfast presenter Murray Shoring has also been axed in the massive changes at 4BC.

Sister station 4BH, rebranded last year to Magic882 has undergone very little change.

Evenings presenter Jo Henderson is the only on-air personality to be sacked from 4BH.

Fairfax Radio CEO Adam Lang leaves the studios of 4BC. PIC: Jono Searle.

“I would like to acknowledge the incredible contribution and dedication these presenters have made to our stations and our Brisbane audience. We will be announcing our new station line-ups shortly and look forward to bring the very best of our newly expanded Macquarie Radio Network programs to our Brisbane audience.

“This is a very challenging time for everyone in our company and we would like to thank our staff for their patience, understanding and terrific support during this process.”

The axings come as a result of Fairfax Radio’s merge with rival broadcaster Macquarie Radio.

Sacked 4BC radio host Ian Skippen trying to make light of losing his job. @7newsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/MQKdpP5Ewy

— Lexy Hamilton-Smith (@LexyHS) April 10, 2015

Up to five other people were also told late yesterday afternoon that their services were no longer required.

Up to 20 people will lose their jobs in Brisbane, they will go from production, the newsroom, advertising as well as the on-air presenting team.

Staff are having individual meetings today to be told whether they will keep their job at the embattled station or not.