One of Radio Sussex’s star presenters has had her regular show cut from five days to two due to BBC cuts.
Allison Ferns, who took over the weekday breakfast show in June 2020, will now present the weekend breakfast show.
Allison, from Brighton, presented her last show today and thanked people for their support.
It comes amid unpopular cuts to the BBC’s 39 local stations which will now share more programmes.
Allison said: “It’s been such a privilege to host the BBC Radio Sussex breakfast show over the past few years. It was always my ambition to host the local breakfast show I grew up listening to.
"Thanks to our lovely listeners and the team behind the scenes - that dream became a reality. I’m now looking forward to continuing my work here at the BBC, with more to come out about that in the near future.
"I’m also starring as The Wicked Stepmother in The Brighton Panto, Cinderella.”
Allison first joined BBC Radio Sussex in 2000.
She took over from Tommy Boyd presenting the 1pm afternoon slot on BBC Southern Counties radio show in December 2007.
The mother-of-two started her career unpaid for a station in London called Town FM before doing hospital radio in Brighton.
Allison became a travel reporter at BBC Sussex and worked her way up over the years.
The BBC has come under fire for making cuts to local radio including its BBC Introducing section which shines a light on up-and-coming bands.
BBC staff have gone on strike several times over the decision. The National Union of Journalists said the BBC’s plans will cut local content by almost half.
BBC’s director general Tim Davie said in a House of Commons committee in June that cuts to local radio were “the right thing” but admitted they are “very difficult and unpopular”.
He also said he made a “painful choice” because the BBC did not have the funding to “keep everything whole”.
There was an outpouring from people online following the announcement.
Simon Hemelryk said: “Extremely sorry to hear this, Allison. I've been listening to your show for years and you have been brilliant.”
Jayne Simpson said: “I’ll really miss the combination of your robust news coverage along with the fun and warmth.”
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