Listeners of Melbourne's Nova FM have been left disgusted and furious after host Tim Blackwell posted what many are calling a 'tasteless' and 'sickening' tribute for Fathers Day.
The radio personality, part of the popular Rick, Tim & Monty drive show, shared a photo to Instagram of his children holding a framed picture of their deceased pet chicken, alongside the caption: 'Fathers Day. My present from the kids was a framed photo of our dead chicken. I'm not sure how I feel about this.'
A Wave of Listener Disgust
The post immediately triggered a flood of negative reactions. Listeners swiftly took to social media and the station's text line to express their outrage, branding the post completely inappropriate for a day meant to celebrate parenthood.
Many accused Blackwell of using a family tragedy for cheap laughs and content, with comments describing the act as 'utterly vile' and 'attention-seeking'. The backlash was swift and severe, indicating a serious misjudgment by the host.
Station Forced to Address On-Air Backlash
The controversy spilled over into Monday's show, forcing Blackwell and his co-hosts to address the elephant in the room. Colleague Ricki Lee felt compelled to read out angry texts from disappointed listeners live on air.
One message read: 'That post about your dead chicken was disgusting. Using your kids and a dead pet for content on Fathers Day? Really low.' Another simply stated: 'That chicken post was f**king sickening.'
Blackwell attempted to defend himself, explaining the photo was a genuine gift from his children and that his caption was an honest reflection of his bewilderment. He expressed remorse, stating he had not intended to cause offence on a day dedicated to fathers.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the fine line public figures walk with their personal social media use and how quickly a post can be misinterpreted, causing significant damage to their reputation and listener goodwill.
