Andy Lee, Deputy News Editor of the Shields Gazette, wants to warn Manchester journalists about a radio DJ who’s heading their way.

Here’s his story, which was published in the Gazette, but read on for some more comments from an irate Mr Lee.

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“Geordie accents?
Not for my kids!”
by Andy Lee

Metro DJ Tony Horne has quit the region after a feud with his bosses andhas taken a cheeky sideswipe at the people who tuned into his show.

The 29-year-old has been locked in an on running spat with hispaymasters since announcing on air in July that he was resigning.

Horne, who shot to prominence on the station’s breakfast show, left theregion to take up a post at Century Radio in Manchester, cheekily addingthat he didn’t want his kids growing up with Geordie accents.

His comments directly contradict remarks he told the Gazette in Januarythis year when he described himself as an “avid champion of the northeast”.

Horne, originally from Surrey, entered into an on air row with bosseswhen he decided to leave the station.

Metro’s Managing Director Mel Booth said: “Our initial response was of sadness andregret when Tony told us he wanted to leave.

“Admittedly, we were concerned that his show had become a bit stalesince the turn of the year and lacked the buzz normally associated withit but we tried to convince Tony to stay and rediscover his touch.

“However, Tony shocked us for a second time by telling us that he didnot want his children to grow up with a north east accent.

“The management and staff at Metro Radio are fiercely proud of thedialect and the region. Sadly, we feel utterly let down and I’m surehis loyal listeners will be.”

Horne’s trademark wind-up telephone calls were also a source of worryfor the station and were on the edge of going too far.

While they were popular, they also attracted wide-ranging concern andcriticism, said Mr Booth.

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Andy Lee also told HoldTheFrontPage: “We just can’t believe he can come here from Surrey, claim £200,000 a year and then bugger off saying he doesn’t want his kids talking withGeordie accents.

“I expected that the minute he gets a call from London he’ll beoff, no doubt stating that he doesn’t want his kids growing up soundinglike Jez Quigley in Coronation Street.

“I’m all for quality people working in the North East.

“Workplaces benefit from a mix of cultures and regional accents.

“But when migrant, mercenary southerners attack the people of the northeast like this, then there’s an argument for the reconstruction ofHadrian’s Wall, just north of York!

“I’ll man the battlements personally.”

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