Capital Breakfast radio presenters Sian Welby, Roman Kemp and Chris Stark have been hit with more than 100 Ofcom complaints after they ridiculed a small business on the show.
Business owner Maria Antoniou, who created a chip-filled chocolate bar, hit out at the trio after they made fun of her company, Chocolate Moments, on her breakfast show.
Maria received an outpouring of support from listeners who accused the presenters of bullying after they said her website looked “like a child made it” and joked it could be “some kind of hoax”.
Now the broadcast regulator Ofcom has announced that 107 complaints were received against the breakfast show on January 15th.
It will be a huge blow for Sian, who is tipped to succeed Holly Willoughby on This Morning, after making her presenting debut alongside Dermot O'Leary earlier this week.
Capital Breakfast radio presenters Sian Welby, Roman Kemp and Chris Stark have been hit with more than 100 Ofcom complaints after they ridiculed a small business on the show
Business owner Maria Antoniou, who created a chip-filled chocolate bar, hit out at the trio after they mocked her company, Chocolate Moments, on live television.
Sian, 37, commented on the website that some of the chocolates were out of stock and said: “Has it failed yet?” Is it bankruptcy yet? I was pretty excited. It may not have been that popular.
“Oops, I'll tell you why, some of the flavors are lamb and mint… with chocolate, that's a bit off.” It says it's all sold out. Do you think it was ever in stock?
One of the others joked: “The website looks like it was created by a child.”
Roman, 30, added: “The contact number below is a mobile phone number and the email address is just a person's name.”
“They probably run their business out of their garage,” Sian said.
The Bar Of Crisps retail for £4.99 and are available in lamb and mint, cheese and onion, salt and vinegar and dark chocolate and chilli flavours.
Maria shared a video of her reaction to her comments on Instagram with viewers saying they were “shocked.”
One listener wrote: “I have sent complaints to all three presenters and @capitalofficial to express my displeasure with the treatment of your small business on live radio! 'How unfair and inconsiderate.'
The Bar Of Crisps retail for £4.99 and are available in lamb and mint, cheese and onion, salt and vinegar and dark chocolate and chilli flavours
Maria shared a video of her reaction to her comments on Instagram with viewers saying they were “shocked.”
Maria issued an update after receiving an apology from two of the three moderators
“Maria, I literally have tears in my eyes after listening to the link you uploaded. I absolutely cannot believe that anyone would disparage any company, let alone a national radio station, in this way. I really think you should contact a lawyer, this is despicable and I am so sorry that you are experiencing this.
“What the hell. I think I'm most shocked by @romankemp. Why did you do that? What did they think would happen?'
Maria issued an update after receiving an apology from two of the three moderators.
She wrote: “Two of the three moderators contacted me.” I'll be really honest, the “apology” I got was very flippant and not meaningful, so that's very disappointing.
“I really don’t care about people who have privilege and don’t use it properly.”
“I don’t care about people who don’t care about others.” I care about myself, my product, my life. I pay my bills, no one else does. If I choose to use a cell phone number for my business, I will.
“Every single one of you helped me. I've said it before: working alone is hard. It's lonely. Last night I had to switch off, it was too much. But never think that I don't appreciate you and your support. It means everything.
The Capital Breakfast presenter made her debut on the ITV show this week alongside Dermot O'Leary
The broadcaster continues to search for a replacement for Holly Willoughby, who resigned in October (Holly pictured on Dancing On Ice on Sunday).
“You all had my back and I can't fully express what this means to me.” I said I would respond to each and every one of you, but right now I'm overwhelmed, emotional and a bit stressed. That's why I say a joint thank you. With every comment I read, I could feel your anger at what you said and I could feel your support and positivity in your words.
“And that’s the point…words. They are powerful. You don't know what a person has experienced, what they are struggling with, and how they are feeling. A single, careless word can be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back.”
Web has contacted Capital FM for comment.
This comes as Sian has become bookmakers' favorite to host the show permanently as the broadcaster continues to search for a replacement for Holly after she stepped down in October.
Bookmakers have set the odds for the next host, with Coral now putting presenter odds at 1/2 to become Holly's replacement.
Coral's John Hill said this week: “Sian Welby has taken to The Morning's sofa like a duck to water.” “We're now giving her the chance to get the job permanently.”
ITV bosses are said to have been impressed with Sian after several appearances on the show and paired her with Dermot as Monday to Thursday presenter.
Sources at the broadcaster say Sian is a “rising star” and wants to give her the chance to shine if she can host the daytime show.
One told Web: “Sian has many years of experience as a presenter and is considered a star of the future.”
They continued: “She's already done really well on This Morning so bosses thought it was time to hand her the reins for the whole show rather than just individual parts.”
“Viewers love a new, fresh face on the show, so everyone involved is really excited.”