The Australian radio show that played a hoax on nurses at a London hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge had been admitted in December has been cancelled.
The Sydney-based 2DayFM has replaced the Hot 30 program nearly two months after radio hosts Mel Greig and Michael Christian convinced staffers at King Edward VII hospital to divulge confidential information about Kate Middleton’s health.
A pregnant Kate Middleton was being treated at the hospital for extreme morning sickness.
The hoax drew international attention when, days later, one of the duped nurses, Jacintha Saldanha, hanged herself in an apparent suicide. Christian and Greig’s show was suspended, and the pair was put on leave.
Southern Cross Austereo, the company that owns 2DayFM, formally cancelled the show, The Australian Associated Press reported Monday. But it was also reported that the two DJs will remain employed at the station.
“We look forward to Mel and MC returning to work when the time is right, in roles that make full use of their talents,” company CEO Rhys Holleran said in a statement.
The station was criticized for going too far when Greig and Christian phoned the hospital Dec. 4, pretending to be Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, in an attempt to gain information about Middleton’s condition. Saldanha answered the phone and, believing she was speaking with the Royals, transferred the call to Middleton’s attending nurse.
The station aired the segment, which went viral worldwide.
Following her death, it was widely believed that Saldanha took her life over stress from the incident.
It is not clear when the DJs, who apologized in emotional televised interviews, will return to the air.
With files from The Associated Press
