Media / Talk of the Trade: Anderson faces move to another country

THERE are clear signs that the BBC is taking to heart the outcry over Anderson Country. Complaints have continued to roll into the Radio 4 Feedback programme and surface at public meetings, (each attended by a governor), which the BBC holds regularly. Meanwhile, ratings for the afternoon slot remain flat. The corporation also wants to reassure outraged listeners that it has no intention of upsetting them further with insensitive changes, although the current disruption of the long wave schedules with Test Match Special (which will get worse as the cricketing season matures) may leave many unconvinced. One highly plausible scenario is that Anderson will go off for a well-deserved summer holiday and simply not return to Radio 4 (his fans say that with his band-playing background he might suit Radio 2 better). The BBC will then find a presenter more suited to the network: could the much admired Margaret Howard be wooed back from Classic FM?