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Sept 2020
Ripon councillor criticises Dawn French following Stray FM's demise
Dawn French was announced as the voice of Greatest Hits Radio in December 2018, but her involvement with the station's owner, media giant Bauer, has brought criticism from an independent Ripon councillor.
Dawn French.
Independent Ripon Councillor Andrew Williams has called on the actress Dawn French to distance herself from Bauer Media following the demise of Stray FM.
Bauer rebranded Stray FM as Greatest Hits Radio today in a move that has upset many local people.
Ms French has been the voice of Greatest Hits Radio since signing a deal with Bauer in December 2018.
Cllr Williams, who serves on Ripon City Council, wrote to her agent Kate Davie of United Agents saying he thought Ms French "would not wish to be associated with the closures of Stray FM and Minster FM".
He added:
"Perhaps your client might wish to distance herself from such a travesty. She risks her own reputation being tarnished and damaged."
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Cllr Williams claimed the switch from Stray FM to Greatest Hits Radio was a "complete decimation of the local radio stations that have played an integral part within our local communities for decades".
He said he had emailed Ms French's agent both as a private resident and as a member of Ripon City Council, which falls within Stray FM broadcast area.
At the time of publication, neither Cllr Williams nor the Stray Ferret had received a response from Ms French or her agent.
In a press release in December 2018, when Ms French was announced as the 'voice of the station' Greatest Hits Radio, said:
"Nothing short of a comedy legend, Dawn embodies the station’s brand values and is well known to the UK public for decades of award-winning comedy and acting roles including playing the irrepressible Geraldine Granger in The Vicar of Dibley."
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