'Slurring' Sarah Kennedy shocks listeners to Radio 2 show
By CLEMMIE MOODIE
Last updated at 10:03 14 August 2007
After rising at 3.30am and starting work at six, Sarah Kennedy can be forgiven for not always being on top form.
But the performance of Radio 2's early-morning DJ was awkward even by her own erratic standards.
She mispronounced words and let sentences tail off incoherently throughout her 90-minute stint on the Dawn Patrol.
At one stage, the 57-year-old broadcaster referred to a "pink polka blot" dress, described the victim in the Phil Spector murder trial as having a "gunshot to her month", and, bizarrely, offered to send some "panties" to soldiers in Afghanistan.
She also appeared to have difficulty reading the daily newspaper review and, after garbling yet another phrase, was forced to apologise to listeners.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I have got a bit of a breathing problem today but I will get that sorted out by going to see the docs."
Within hours listeners known as "Kennedy's Dawn Patrollers" swamped the Radio 2 message boards with their comments.
One wrote: "There was certainly something wrong. Heaps of mispronunciations, slurring, silences and bizarre remarks. At that hour it can't possibly be what it sounded like, can it?"
This is not the first time that the outspoken Miss Kennedy has caused a stir.
Eight years ago she was forced to take a week off work, having made a string of inappropriate on-air comments which drew complaints from listeners.
After calling a clergyman an "old prune", describing fellow DJ Ken Bruce as an "old fool" and accusing a newsreader of soiling her underwear, she was said to be suffering from exhaustion.
In 2000, the BBC apologised after, during an informal discussion on
genetics, she suggested that black people made good runners because they were used to being chased by lions.
She added that she thought it odd that she could not think of any black swimmers although "you black people are all so marvellous at running".
Last night a spokesman for Radio 2 said: "Sarah had a very sore throat on Sunday night and unfortunately her voice was beginning to close down just as she was getting up.
"She thought she might not be on top form but honoured her commitment to the Dawn Patrollers.
"She has been in bed all day today but is confident that she will be on form and 'bushy-tailed' tomorrow."
Sarah Kennedy's earlier mishaps in 1999:
To newsreader Fenella Hadingham:
"It's nine o'clock, you're soiling your pants. You haven't got them on, have you?"
Interrupting a traffic report about a three-car accident:
"Did you say shunt?"
To listeners:
"Ken Bruce's producer is here. What do you want to say? Where is the old fool?"
Introducing Pause for Thought by the Rev John Newbury:
"Where are you, you old prune?"
To no-one in particular:
"Fish and chips - again, It's me and the head of Radio 4, gob on a stick. I'll be having dinner tonight."
After playing a Boyzone record:
"I need you, I need you! Can you mow? Have you a mower? Hee hee!"
Discussing the prowess of Africa athletes:
"That's why you black people make such good runners - lions. I thought that was a great letter."
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