BBC Radio Five Live co-presenters 'refuse to work together' after he sent her insulting email

BBC Radio 5 Live has been thrown into "chaos" as hosts Tony Livesey and Clare McDonnell fall out after he sent her an insulting email. Tony, 60, sent an unkind message about Clare’s presenting ability to her by accident which caused a huge row.

Clare who has presented the drivetime show on BBC Radio Five Live with Tony since February 2022, has reportedly refused to work with him again. A source said: “Clare received a message from Tony basically slagging her off and she was livid.

“She no longer wants to work with him and that has caused total chaos at the station. People are being shifted all over the shop and into different slots, which isn’t going down well. Clare is well within her right to be angry — but it’s made the atmosphere at 5Live really frosty."

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5 Live is making a number of changes to its schedule including Chris Warburton moving to Drive and Tony Livesey returning to Lates. Chris, who has been co-hosting Weekend Breakfast for 10 years, will join Clare McDonnell on 5 Live Drive from December.

Tony, who has been on Drive also for a decade, returns back to where he started his 5 Live career on weeknights 10pm till 1am. The insider said: “It has become a nightmare there.” The insider added: “Tony has lost a really good gig because of that message to Clare. It’s a massive kick in the teeth for him. Clare is happy she was listened to by station bosses and thinks Tony has got exactly what he deserves.”

Heidi Dawson, Controller of BBC 5 Live, said: “It’s fantastic to be welcoming Jeanette in to the 5 Live family. After an outstanding year of big impact events, from the election, Euros football and Olympic Games, 5 Live continues to be the voice of the UK, and our brilliant new schedule line up will continue to bring people together for the country’s biggest moments.”