Despite a share boost after some positive predictions from a leading media analyst last week Capital bosses are now bracing themselves for the first of Chris Tarrant's prolonged breaks from the breakfast show next month. Over the next few months Tarrant will be away from the show as much as he is present – with holidays booked in March, April, July and August. Capital is hoping its new look breakfast show, with its big team of presenters, will be strong enough to maintain listeners during Tarrant’s absences, and ultimately after his final departure at the end of the year. That logic will be tested next month.
The first holiday falls into the next RAJAR period which will make April’s radio listening figures interesting reading, Capital like Virgin need some good news to keep investors happy. Tarrant's breaks will also be a testing ground for Neil Fox, who is most likely to fill in while Tarrant is away and, if successful, take over breakfast at the end of the year.
Meantime the station hopes to gain some competitive advantage from keeping the exact dates of Tarrant's holiday’s a closely guarded secret so that rivals – mainly EMAP's Kiss and Chyrsalis' Heart – can't stage major promotions during those weeks. Capital boss David Mansfield told the Media Guardian: "If we reveal when Chris is going to take his breaks then the competition will use that as an opportunity. I know exactly when Chris Tarrant is having holiday this year. It's all agreed. Chris and I are very clear on it. But I'm not prepared to comment on when it is, because its competitive information."