“Bring back Joel and Lorna!” Heart North West listeners react as new show launches with Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston

The new Heart radio breakfast show launched on Monday morning with a new presenter duo of Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston and a whole host of big star guests.

But scores of listeners in the North West were left unimpressed – and sent a clear message to Heart North West bosses that they want Joel Ross and Lorna Bancroft back in the hot seat.

The new show has been launched nationally across Heart’s UK radio network – replacing all of their former regional breakfast shows.

Here in Manchester that meant the departure of popular duo Joel and Lorna, who have been waking up the city for the past five years on Heart North West.  The two presenters have yet to confirm their next move following their final Heart show.

Many listeners tuning in on Monday morning took to Twitter to tell @HeartNorthWest their dissatisfaction that Joel and Lorna have been replaced by Amanda and Jamie, with the message: “Bring Back Joel and Lorna”.

Don’t like the new @HeartNorthWest breakfast show. Bring back @lornabancroft @joelrossradio #ifitsnotbrokedontfixit

— ian holland (@bigdutchy) June 3, 2019

Absolutely gutted @lornabancroft and @joelrossradio have gone off @HeartNorthWest. Tried listening this morning but looks like I need to find a new station ☹️ #ifitaintbrokedontfixit #bringbackjoelandlorna

— emma louise (@emma_louise83) June 3, 2019

With all the due seriousness and hard work of my medical placements this year, I really relied on the morning banter of @lornabancroft & @joelrossradio to set me up right for the day.
Actually gutted @HeartNorthWest 😢😞

— #hellomynameis clarissa (@clarissascortex) June 3, 2019

@HeartNorthWest You did it again!!why mess with breakfast radio won’t be listening again bring back @lornabancroft and @joelrossradio. Last time you got rid of ditchy and salty. Lost faith in you.

— Tina McLoughlin (@TinamMcLoughlin) June 3, 2019

@HeartNorthWest terrible decision to change the breakfast show. Dull & boring now….Joel & Lorna used to brighten up the mornings. Wont be listening anymore…..goodbye heart

— Clare Boothman (@clareboothman78) June 3, 2019

No disrespect to @AmandaHolden and @JamieTheakston. But Monday mornings aren’t the same on @HeartNorthWest without @joelrossradio and @lornabancroft. #SwitchToCapital

— Sam (@SamJoeBeard) June 3, 2019

@lornabancroft @joelrossradio @HeartNorthWest pic.twitter.com/q7yE9jO9f9

— stuart peters (@stujakecallum) June 2, 2019

@HeartNorthWest I won’t be listening to your breakfast show now as I only listened for @joelrossradio and @lornabancroft as they made me laugh, without them you’re just the same as the other stations. Such a shame to see them gone.

— Tina Jones (@missyteejay) June 3, 2019

The comments came despite a humdinger of a launch show for the new hosts, with Amanda heading to present just hours after judging on the live final of Britain’s Got Talent, where 89-year-old Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackery was voted the winner after his emotional performance of Love Changes Everything.

And Amanda drew on her showbiz connections, by bringing in her fellow BGT judge David Walliams as the show’s first studio guest in London on Monday morning.

They also played a message from American singing megastar Taylor Swift, and a video message from TV funnyman Keith Lemon who will be appearing live on the second show on Tuesday morning.

Thanks for joining @JamieTheakston and @AmandaHolden and being our first EVER guest on the All New Heart Breakfast this morning @davidwalliams!! 📸❤️😄 pic.twitter.com/ehxJUh8an5

— Heart (@thisisheart) June 3, 2019

Broadcasting giant Global revealed back in March that it was replacing a number of local programmes across its UK radio network with national breakfast shows.

It also meant the end of popular Manchester breakfast show The Rob Ellis Show on Capital, which was replaced by a national show hosted by Roman Kemp which launched in April. Although the Rob Ellis team remain with Capital on the station’s new Drive Time show.

Heart announced their new breakfast team last month would be Amanda and Jamie. Managing editor of Heart, James Rea, said at the time: “We have been working hard behind the scenes to be able to announce some huge changes to Heart.

“Amanda Holden brings a fresh energy to the brand-new national Breakfast show and we’re delighted that she’s now part of the Heart family. Both Jamie and Amanda’s infectious humour and engaging personalities will certainly brighten up mornings across the UK.

“We wish them the very best of luck ahead of their first show together on Monday June 3rd.”