I wasn’t up to the job, says Radio Leeds DJ who made inappropriate comments to weather presenter

Radio Leeds mid-morning presenter Alex Belfield was reprimanded in December and suspended for a day for making “totally inappropriate” on-air remarks to Look North weather presenter Keeley Donovan.

Yesterday, following talks with bosses, he walked out after 10 months in the job.

He told followers on his Facebook page that station bosses had wanted “a more serious and sensible journalist and that doesn’t play to my strengths.”

He added: “In truth I simply wasn’t up to the job. I’m not a journalist, never have been and frankly don’t want to be!

“We decided that it’s best to shake hands and have a few pancakes.”

Several listeners posted Facebook comments to say they would miss him.

One, Christopher Cook, said: “Huge mistake by Radio Leeds in my opinion. That’s me done with the station from today.”

Another, Marc Drye, said: “Alex I’m absolutely gutted...you are absolutely hilarious, tongue-in-cheek comedy at its best.”

Colleagues at the station were not surprised by the turn events have taken. Some have been angered at some of the freelance DJ’s on-air antics, as well as risque comments he posted on his Facebook page.

One insider said staff at the station were fed up of Belfield’s on-air as well as off-air antics.

In December the Yorkshire Post reported that Belfield had got into hot water with Radio Leeds bosses for comments which a BBC spokesman described as “totally inappropriate”.

The vulgar comments attracted two complaints from listeners to the station.

Belfield, 30, who hails from Mansfield and has worked at several radio stations and as a stand-up comedian, admits on his own website that he is known as “that annoying pillock on the wireless” by “many critics”.

In his most recent Facebook posting, Belfield said he could not have done his Radio Leeds show for another two years as he had planned because he “didn’t believe in” the content of the show.

“The bosses made it clear they wanted me to stay but it has been obvious for months that I’m not best suited to their news styly (sic).”

He added: “Thank you to my darling, wonderfully kind listeners. Your notes of inspiration have kept me going through some difficult and dark times in the last year.”

Last night a BBC spokesman said “We can confirm that BBC Radio Leeds mid-morning presenter Alex Belfield left the BBC today.

“We would like to thank Alex for his valued contribution over the last 10 months and wish him all the best for the future. His replacement will be announced in due course.”