BBC Radio 5 Live has reportedly been left in a state of ‘chaos’ after the alleged fallout between presenters Tony Livesey and Clare McDonnell – over offensive e-mails intended for others.
Reports of the pair’s feud came after Tony, 59, accidentally sent an e-mail to his co-host, criticizing her ability.
Tony and Clare, 47, have presented the 5Live drivetime show together since February 2022 – but have not been seen in the studio together since May.
Clare now says she doesn’t want to work with Tony – and the pair are taking turns at the station trying to avoid it.
According to sources, the dispute has caused ‘chaos’ at the station, and the BBC is reportedly planning to permanently separate the presenter by relegating him back to the late night slot where he originally joined.
The changes, which are reported to start in December are a ‘kick in the teeth’ for proto-Traitors journalists and hosts, who originally joined the BBC in 2006.
“They don’t want to work together anymore and cause chaos in the station. People are moving all over the store and into different slots, which will not go down either,” the source told The Sun.
They continued: ‘Clare is also right to be angry – but it made the atmosphere at 5 Live really frosty.’
‘It’s been a nightmare over there,’ the tabloid source continued.
Since the show, Tony and Clare have taken turns hosting drivetime slots separately. On Monday and Tuesday, Johnny I’Anso steps in to host with Clare.
Then, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, Tony presents the show with journalist and political correspondent Leila Nathoo.
In December, Tony will return to the late night slot that he first came from in 2010 – and which he is reportedly not happy about.
The paper’s source continued: ‘Tony has lost a good show because of the message to Clare. It was a massive kick in the teeth for him.
‘Clare is glad she was heard by the station boss and thinks Tony has got what he deserves.’
Tony will be replaced by Chris Warburton from December. Chris, who has hosted Weekend Breakfast since 2014, will join Clare as the permanent host of Live Drive.
Tensions between the pair first came to light last year after a snippy exchange saw Tony and Clare exchange live jabs on air.
It came as Tony praised the ‘professionalism’ of Wimbledon correspondents such as Gigi Salmon, Russell Fuller and David Law, saying: ‘They are very professional, it’s a privilege to sit with them.’
“It’s good to work together with professionals, to change, I’m looking forward to it,” Clare joked.
‘Everybody’s going now – what’s going on?’ Tony asked with a laugh.
To which Clare replied: ‘Oh that’s an open goal.’
‘I’m going to say time dramatically and hope everyone has forgotten what they just said,’ Tony finished, looking very unamused.
Metro has approached the BBC for comment on this story.
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