TWO of the South's top radio presenters have been axed by BBC bosses after setting up their own company.

Popular Radio Solent broadcasters Richard Williams and James Lush were given their marching orders following high-level meetings at the BBC's regional offices in Southampton.

Williams and sports reporter Lush left a memo for astonished colleagues expressing their sadness at the decision.

A BBC spokeswoman confirmed the pair had left the BBC but would not comment on BBC South Today presenters Andrew Harvey and Alex Lush, wife of James, who were due to become associates of the new company.

The move comes only weeks after Williams and Lush set up a media training and consultancy company called Great Beginnings Ltd.

The business offers training courses for company representatives who want to improve their skills at dealing with the media.

BBC spokeswoman Helen Odams said: "We can confirm that they are no longer working for the BBC.

"The fact that they set up a media training consultancy is at the root of this, although it would be inappropriate to discuss the matter in detail.

She said that BBC guidelines stated: "There are real dangers when BBC people train individuals or organisations on how to perform on television and radio.

"No BBC presenter or editorial person regularly involved in news and current affairs or topical programmes should coach people on how to be interviewed."

Radio presenter Jon Cuthill took over Richard Williams' 4pm-7pm weekday show last week and will continue in the same slot for the "foreseeable future".

James Lush confirmed that his contract, and that of Richard Williams, had been terminated but declined to comment any further.

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