Cape Town - Western Cape radio station KFM has confirmed IOL's exclusive on Friday morning that major line-up changes will take place at the station, including that Darren "Whackhead" Simpson will be replacing Ryan O'Connor as breakfast show host.
"Darren is one of South Africa’s most prominent commercial broadcasters, having hosted 947’s Breakfast Xpress for 7 years, and featuring on the breakfast show for 7 years before that," the station said in a statement on Friday.
"He’s won numerous awards including multiple nods for ‘Best local radio personality’ in the Best of Joburg Awards. Darren achieved national fame through his notorious “Whackhead” pranks, which hit record sales year after year and have totalled over half a million units sold. The pranks also featured on KFM breakfast so there is an existing connection between Darren and the Western Cape audience," the station said.
KFM said that Simpson would take over the breakfast show from July – and that there would be a daily prank.
“This is a dream come true for me and my family. To do the breakfast show on KFM in Africa's most beautiful city, is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am incredibly excited,” said Simpson
Joburgers will still get their fix as Simpson would broadcast his Xpress Drive show on 947 from Cape Town's Primedia studios.
“Darren has earned his reputation as a heavyweight in the South African radio industry and we are thrilled to be able to share his radio magic with audiences in both of our broadcast regions,” said Primedia Broadcasting CEO, Omar Essack.
Current breakfast host Ryan O’Connor, who has won awards for his show, will be moved into the weekday work slot, from 10am to 1pm.
“Ryan has a fantastic connection with listeners,” said Trish Taylor, CEO Primedia Broadcasting Western Cape. "We believe that he’s going to turn this show into ‘can’t-miss- it’ radio and are thrilled to have such a dynamic broadcaster steering us through this new chapter as we shake up daytime radio.”
O' Connor will be followed by Sechaba G on early afternoons, 1pm to 4pm. The afternoon drive will be taken over by Carl Wastie, who will also host a regional chart show on Saturdays.
Rob Vember, who has hosted the afternoon drive since 2014, will be leaving the station.
Essack said that he believed that “these are bold moves and with this line up, KFM will become a bold voice in the Cape media landscape.”