Radio Clyde have blocked any mention of former presenter Suzie McGuire on their airwaves.  Ms McGuire left the Clydebank-based station Clyde in 2014 in the build-up to a court case against her husband Derek Mitchell.

Mitchell was convicted of three assaults on her and ordered to do 300 hours’ community service last year.  Now, the one-time afternoon favourite is set to star in a new stage play at the King’s Theatre, Mum’s The Word (2). However, Mum’s The Word producer Robert C. Kelly claimed today he was “stunned’ to discover Radio Clyde won’t allow their former star’s name to be mentioned in any radio adverts.

Mr Kelly said: “I think it is an abuse of power for Radio Clyde to refuse me advertising because an ex-employee is in the show. I can’t see that their licence would permit them to exercise a right of veto over ads which are simply promoting a show.”

Suzie McGuire has worked in radio occasionally with Radio Scotland since she left Clyde.  However, three weeks ago she was named in the line-up of presenters in new Glasgow-based radio station GO Radio.  In an email seen by the Evening Times to Mum’s The Word producers, Radio Clyde admit they are keen to deny GO publicity.

The email said: “GO Radio launches on Monday here in Glasgow and Suzie will be their main Drivetime host so it is really unfortunate timing.  “GO Radio have been pushing Radio Clyde quite hard in terms of criticism and their main mission is to dominate us within the marketplace so our content director Brian (Paige) feels it wouldn’t be in our best interests to highlight Suzie.”  Mr Kelly however claims Clyde’s decision is “petty” and “lacking in any real judgment”.

“This looks like a case of the Clyde bosses having their noses pushed out of joint.  “As far as I’m aware, Radio Clyde didn’t offer Suzie a job after she won her court case, so what’s the problem with her going with someone else?

“And the radio ads we proposed simply included the names of all the cast, including Lorraine McIntosh, Julie Wilson Nimmo, Jane McCarry and Libby McArthur.  “There was no mention of GO.”

Mr Kelly added: “Suzie was one of Radio Clyde’s top presenters and she did a great job, which I’m sure she will do for us with our new show.”

The Evening Times contacted Radio Clyde but they declined to comment.

l Mum’s The Word (2): Toddlers To Teenagers, the King’s Theatre, January 26-30.