Well, now it seems Chris Tarrant will stay. Despite telling numerous interviewers he planned to quit the Capital breakfast show at the end of the year, the station have now confirmed Tarrant will stay on for 2003 to host an ‘all-new’ breakfast show. In what way it will be ‘all-new’ remains to be seen, though the time slot is likely to be shorter and later. It is likely the station will also try to develop a format that can outlive its host, who is unlikely to stay with the new show more than a year.
Capital chief exec David Mansfield told reporters: "We have been discussing a number of programming ideas with Chris and we are both delighted that he will be launching the station's new breakfast show in its first year." Tarrant added: "I just can't help it, radio is in my blood and so is Capital. I'm sorry to disappoint the competition, but I am not ready to hang up the Capital headphones yet."
Shares in Capital jumped up 30p on the announcement of the news.