JAMIE Laing has been branded “classless” and “unprofessional” by furious Radio One fans after seemingly “taking a swipe” at his on-air predecessor Jordan North.
Jamie took over a spot on the BBC Radio One line-up in February, replacing Jordan North after he spectacularly quit after 10 years on air for rival Capital FM.
Now hosting The Going Home Show alongside Vick Hope and Katie Thistleton, Jamie officially made his debut in March, and has been forced to defend his position ever since.
However, today Jamie decided to share a confidential email, which congratulated him and the team for a job well done.
Posting part of the email on Instagram, alongside a segment of a RAJAR stats report, Jamie was seen being compared to the programme Jordan left behind, as well as long-standing BBC favourite Greg James.
The report read: “Comparing the 6am to 10am time period Greg James (who’s on for most of that) has managed to grow his audience from 3.8million to 3.9million, no mean feat with competition from his ex-colleague.
“However over on Jordan’s old Drivetime slot the growth has been even more substantial – up to 3.3million (a Q-on-Q increase from 2.8million and Y-on-Y from 3million).”
The email, which was posted underneath, noted: “I don’t normally single out other shows, but I know all eyes will be on Going Home with Vick, Katie and Jamie as it’s their first quarter.
“I’m delighted to say it’s a huge congratulations to them and their production team as they’ve managed to launch and increase their 15-24y/o audience by 65% in just one quarter.
“That gives them a new record for young people on the show since RAJAR returned from the pandemic. Amazing.”
Jamie shared his pride at the achievement, telling fans in the caption that he “was told he wasn’t allowed to share the email but he doesn’t follow the rules”.
“I, like lots of us, find it difficult to talk about proud moments in one’s life but this is one I wanted to share,” he added. “I joined ‘The Going Home Show’ on Radio 1, the second largest show on the station, with Vick Hope and Katie Thistleton this year.
“Of course and quite rightly there was lots of speculation about whether I was the right choice or not. The bookies even had odds going on how long I was going to last.
“Cut to getting our first RAJAR results this quarter (the results of who is listening to what Radio Show) and we have smashed it out the park!!”
He added he was “proud of what they’d achieved” and promised they had only just got started, tagging in his co-hosts as well as the station.
While fans were quick to celebrate the clearly momentous achievement, some took aim at Jamie, whose messages shared clearly showed him being in direct comparison with Jordan North, who was a firm favourite.
One fan wrote: “I think sharing your achievements is great but doing it this way seems a bit shady to Jordan and unprofessional. No way he would have done the same to Roman.
“Idk maybe there could have been a better way.”
“I think you could have shared the achievement of the show without bringing Jordan into it in a much classier way, one which no doubt would be allowed to be shared..,” added another.
A third said: “Great on your achievement but shame you were so rude to a Fantastic Radio presenter and Podcast Legend.
“Shady work Sir shady work You maybe be posh but you do not have any class in my eyes.”
While a fourth noted: “There was no need to share Jordans name. Shame on you to be honest.. it seems like you’re bringing him down.”
However, co-host Kate Thistleton responded to the post by simply commenting: “Laters haters.”
