The departure of Chelsea Norris from Key 103’s breakfast show is causing a stir with listeners and media in Manchester.
The Manchester Evening News has published numerous articles on her sudden exit, forcing owners Bauer Media to issue a statement confirming that Key 103 is not renewing Chelsea’s contract.
It has been reported that Chelsea took the decision to leave almost immediately, rather than wait till the end of her contract next year. She has been at the station for 11 years and recently returned from maternity leave.
The statement from Bauer says: “Key 103 decided not to renew Chelsea’s contract beyond its expiry date. The station told her of its decision in a timely and transparent manner and honoured the contract in full.
“Chelsea was not told to leave within weeks of her return from her maternity leave. Nor was her departure in any way connected to her maternity leave and Chelsea left at a date of her choice. She was not let go with immediate effect. The station continues to wish Chelsea every future success.”
Chelsea has received hundreds of good will messages from listeners via social media, but has not made any comment on the situation since her emotional last show. Chelsea told listeners on July 26th: “I’ve worked for Key 103 on the breakfast show for 11 years and I’ve got to say it’s been amazing. Been to and seen some great places and met some inspirational people along the way. However sometimes change is necessary and I wanted to tell you that I’m leaving – and Thursday will be my last show.
“I want to thank everyone here at Castle Quay – and for listening and sharing your lives with me all these years. I will miss talking to you but on the plus side I get to see Minnie more and do other bits.”
Chelsea moved to Key 103 to join co-host Mike Toolan in 2005 after 4 years at Century, where she’d been a newsreader for both Tony Horne and Darren Proctor. Key 103 has continuously lost listeners for the last two years, dropping from 660,000 weekly reach in Q1, 2014 to 342,000 in Q2, 2016.
