Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely, best known as members of the dance group Diversity, have announced they are leaving their roles as hosts of the Kiss breakfast show. The pair, who won Britain's Got Talent in 2009, have been presenting the weekend show on Kiss for the past 18 months and recently took over the breakfast slot.
Their departure comes at a time when the radio industry is examining how to improve racial diversity both on and off air. However, the duo emphasised that their exit is not a response to the Black Lives Matter movement, but rather a natural progression in their careers.
Banjo and Kiely have a long history of working together, having been part of Diversity for over a decade. Their natural chemistry has been a key asset in their radio work, with Kiely noting that their friendship extends beyond the studio. "We're literally best friends," he said, adding that they often spend time together after work.
During their tenure, the breakfast show's listenership declined from 2.09 million under previous hosts Rickie, Melvin and Charlie to 1.4 million. Despite this, Banjo remained confident in their approach, stating they focused on being themselves rather than worrying about ratings.
Industry analyst Roy Martin of Radio Today commented that the pair's appeal to young audiences was a smart move for Kiss. The station has not yet announced a replacement for the breakfast slot.
