CLYDE 2 is to axe Glasgow showbiz star Dean Park after 17 years with the station and never missing a show.

It is also understood to be dropping early morning DJ Mike Riddoch as part of a move to ditch local content and replace it with a Scotland-wide programme.

Dean, who does three-hour shows on Saturdays and Sundays, confirmed he had been asked to leave in a meeting with Graham Bryce, managing director of Bauer Media Scotland, which owns the station.

Bauer Radio has decided Robin Galloway, currently Drivetime presenter on Clyde 1, will replace local presenters in the breakfast slot on Clyde 2, Forth 2, Northsound 2, Tay AM and Ayr-based West Sound.

Bauer has been increasingly networking its Scottish stations since 2009, which is part of a wider industry trend for down-the-line national or syndicated presenters on local radio.

The changes will start on Monday, July 1.

Dean, also well-known for his pantomime roles, said: "I believe I can be proud of what I have achieved in radio and am not leaving Clyde with any sense of bitterness. The public has been fantastic."

Bauer is styling Clyde 2 and the other four stations as the Greatest Hits Network, with networked content produced in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.

The company said its local breakfast shows had "under-performed in a competitive market".

It added: "We want to invest in a stand-out show that can compete effectively with the likes of Chris Evans on Radio 2 and Good Morning Scotland on Radio Scotland.

"To do this we need to invest in and build a show that can cut through against the competition. Robin Galloway hosting the new show can deliver our audience growth."

Robin Galloway will be replaced on Clyde 1 Drivetime by Suzie McGuire.