Following on from yesterday's apologetic statements both from Newstalk and George Hook personally, it's now being reported by the Sunday Business Post that sponsors on his show are threatening to leave and pull advertising.

Speaking to the SBP, Pat McCann, chief executive of Dalata - which is the company which owns Clayton Hotels, one of the show's main sponsors - said that "George Hook is fundamentally out of touch with reality. I am the father of two daughters and I find those types of comments totally unacceptable."

"This contract is up for renewal in October and this will bring into focus whether we will continue to sponsor the programme."

Since Hook's comments, the National Women's Council of Ireland, various politicians and fellow broadcasters have called on Newstalk to take action against Hook over his comments. In a prepared statement yesterday afternoon, Hook said that he wished to "apologise unreservedly for comments I made about rape on my radio programme."

It's understood that Hook's show, High Noon, is to broadcast as usual on Newstalk tomorrow at 12PM.

 

Update 9.25PM

Dalata has issued a statement, confirming that it will no longer be involved with George Hook's show, High Noon and Newstalk.

 

Via SBP