George Clarke, the beloved social media star and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, has left his fans heartbroken with a major announcement. The YouTuber, also known as 'Clarkey', revealed that his popular podcast, 'The Useless Hotline', has come to an end after more than three years.
The Final Episode
The final episode of the podcast, which premiered in 2022, was released on YouTube over the weekend. Titled 'The Final Episode', it began with co-host Max Balegde stating that it 'was not clickbait' but 'real news'. The show, known for its chaotic and unscripted banter, humorous takes on daily struggles, and occasional guest appearances, had amassed a loyal following.
Fans were quick to express their devastation on social media. One wrote: 'I just had a feeling the latest tour was a goodbye tour but I'm still shocked. Really sad thinking back on so many Sunday evenings eagerly waiting for the 5pm episode and that won't happen again. It feels like the end of an era.'
Another commented: 'It’s embarrassing how much I sobbed watching this, I’m going to miss having a pod to look forward to every Sunday.' Some fans were in disbelief, with one fuming: 'This better be a f***** joke,' while another echoed: 'IM SORRY WHAT!? IS THIS A JOKE???'.
Emotional Tributes
The episode ended with a compilation of highlights from over the years, followed by a message on screen: 'Thank you for watching we love you all Max & George x.' Taking to Instagram Stories, George clarified the decision: 'Been a very eventful 3+ years and had a lot of fun through it all. We haven't fallen out, we're not going to stop being friends, I have a lot of love for Max and always will. We're just in very different places than we were 3 years ago and this feels like the right time to move on.'
He added: 'Thank you to everyone who has listened, watched and come to the shows. And a massive thanks to Max for everything. Love you all x.'
The Useless Hotline Podcast remains available to watch on YouTube.
