BBC issue statement after suspending DJ and pulling her off air mid-show
Charlie Hedges DJ's at the end of Ladies Day of The Boodles July Festival 2023 at Newmarket Racecourse on July 13, 2023 and Arielle Free (inset).
PA
Radio 1 DJ Arielle Free has been suspended from the BBC after a bust up with co-host Charlie Hedges on her Saturday Dance Anthems, which was broadcast live from the Ibiza Rocks Hotel.
In a cameo that lasted less than a minute, Arielle, 36, was told to “have some respect” before being booted out the booth by Charlie with a parting glance of “get out of here!”
BBC’s trouble in paradise began when a worse for wear Arielle conceded sounding ropey as she stepped up to the mic on July 29.
Appearing as a guest, a slurring Arielle said: “Hi, yeah, I sound great don’t I?”
With a glimmer of being unimpressed, host Charlie quipped: “You’ve sounded better, but it’s ok.”
On the back foot, Arielle replied: “Well, this is what happened. You play on Friday and you play on Saturday and then your voice just goes.”
Opting for a straighter bat, Arielle turned the scrutiny on her colleague: “Can I be honest with you Charlie? I expected better of you. I don’t like this song.”
Taken aback, Charlie responded: “Oh really?”
Arielle Free attending the ITV Palooza held at the Royal Festival Hall, BFI Southbank Centre, London on November 15, 2022.
PA
Arielle doubled down: “I hate it!”
As Arielle set about expanding on her dislike of Stream MCR-T & horsegiirL’s My Barn, My Rules, Charlie pulled the plug on the guest appearance.
Throwing her toys out the party pram, Charlie said: “Sorry I’m taking your mic down, it’s my show Arielle, have some respect please.
“See you later. Get out of here.”
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Charlie Hedges attends the Radio 1's Big Weekend 2023 launch party at the Londoner Hotel, central London on March 15, 2023.
PA
A spokesperson for Radio 1 has since said: “Whilst we would not comment on individual matters, we have strict codes of behaviour for staff and presenters, and any breaches are taken extremely seriously.”
Arielle, a former host of Love Island: The Morning After podcast, is understood to be suspended, but is expected to return to the radio station next week.
She joined BBC in 2019 and hosted Dance Anthems Ibiza with Sonny Fodera on Saturday evening.
The pair, who performed together at the Women’s FA Cup Final in May, are said to have been friends before the testing on air exchange.
Stream MCR-T & horsegiirL’s song, My Barn, My Rules, has found viral fame online through the TikTok shoulder dance of Olly Bowman.