Sam and Amy are leaving the breakfast show in the Great East Midlands after 11 years, to be replaced by Jo Russell and Mark ‘Sparky’ Colerangle.
Jo and Sparky currently host breakfast together on Free Radio in Wolverhampton, the Black Country and Shropshire. Jo has also previously hosted breakfast on Trent FM, BRMB and presented at Virgin Radio.
Jo said: “I’m over the moon to be back home and to bring the Jo & Sparky show to GEM. We have some big shoes to fill when it comes to the amazing Sam and Amy but you are most definitely going to love Sparky and I hope you’ll remember me! We’ve had a fantastic run in the West Midlands and I’m sure whoever moves to fill the breakfast show there will do us proud.”
James Brownlow, Content Director of GEM, said “Jo & Sparky will be bringing one of the most outstanding radio shows in the UK to GEM and its listeners. East Midlands radio is well and truly alive and GEM has just upped the game even more by bringing one of the regions most loved radio presenters back. All of us cannot wait to get the show started.”
On Sam & Amy’s decision to move away from the East Midlands region … James continued. “I think I speak for all Gem listeners when I thank both Sam and Amy for the past 11 years. It has been nothing short of brilliant radio over this time, no more so than when they were working as part of a GEM team. They are welcome back whenever they want and we truly wish Sam and his family, and Amy the very best in their new lives outside the East Midlands.”
Sam Pinkham quote: Presenting the breakfast show on Gem has been the highlight of my career. I feel very fortunate to have worked with so many fantastic people over the past 11 years. They’ve stopped stocking Walnut Whips in the office tuck box SO I’M OUT OF HERE!”
Amy Voce added: “I literally grew up on air with Gem over the last 11 years & waking up my home town of Leicester every morning has been a joy. So many incredible experiences; winning awards, holding a racoon & dancing with David Hasselhoff. Thank you to everyone who’s been involved in the show, it’s been ridiculous.”
Gem’s all new breakfast show with Jo & Sparky will launch on Monday 16th October.
Jo & Sparky’s replacement on Breakfast at Free Radio in Wolverhampton, the Black Country and Shropshire will be announced in due course.
Finally… we’re expecting to bring you news about Sam and Amy’s next move later today.
