Prank phone call

The original prank idea was not thought up by the two DJs - who were stand-ins for the regular ones - but in a production meeting beforehand. I hope the heads that roll will not be those of the DJs, although they are the ones apparently being held responsible. I also find the 'five attempts' to get through to the hospital unconvincing. They must have known that the administration wouldn't be on duty at that early hour (unless they were so clueless that they forgot about the time difference), and that the night shift wouldn't be in a position to give permission or otherwise. In fact, they must have known that, if they had got through to management, they wouldn't have had a cat in hell's chance of getting that permission. No, they just went ahead and created mayhem.

Hi bluebell. I haven't said ban hoax pranks, just commented that I don't see them as funny. I've never enjoyed things like Candid Camera, or seeing children faling into bushes on You've Been framed. For me, humiliating people, or laughing at their accidents, as a form of comedy or humour is cruel. It's a tragedy for all concerned, including these DJs, who never intended harm to come to anyone.

However silly and childish the prank it certainly did not warrant the outcome. We will never know what really went on behind the scenes and what the royal family really said to the hospital in the aftermath. Yes they can come forward now and play the innocent card but we will never know. No enquiry into this tragic waste of life will ever uncover the truth as no-one would speak out against the royals, especially not the hospital

Sorry Whenim64 bit of an over-reaction. I'm just feeling quite upset about the vilification and unkindness to the DJs - we should just be all be more compassionate to each other - if
anyone has never done anything wrong, well they are very lucky. My cupboard is too full for me to be holier-than-thou!

Perhaps the chairman of the hospital should look a little closer to home and question whether there were secure enough security measures in place .

Well - we all know how far back the ancient art of scapegoating works - and boy does it work!!

Yes, agree with you wholeheartedly bluebell. There are a few more 'if onlys' for me, starting with the media who want to seize on tittle-tattle and amplify it out of all proportion. Prince Charles obviously wasn't bothered about it, no-one complained to the hospital, but the media seem intent on creating some sort of 'radio wars' with Australia, and to have the distressed DJs paraded on TV when there are concerns about their mental state is turning it into a circus. If only people would act with some restraint.

And I agree with you , When.

[fbiscuit ] not!

Nonu you took the words out of my mouth - I was about to post the same thoughts.

The hospital has skillfully side-stepped its own responsibilities and is no doubt pleased that the opprobrium is currently at the door of the DJs.

Kate's sickness and presence at the hospital was a huge media event - nurses on duty should not have been left in the position of dealing with the media. That time in the morning is their most busiest and as anyone who has ever worked the night shift will know, you are the most tired but there is still three or more hours to go.

'The Suits' who would be faffing around during the day don't do nights.

Yes - the hodpital is ready to benefit from all the kudos of its royal connections - they should use some of their income to be properly staffed.

"DJs paraded on TV". Didn't they have a choice?

Bluebell , like .

Would the DJs be in a position to make an informed choice about appearing on TV at present? I doubt it.

Well, I'm wondering that too, when, but if they have family support, or friends, or even counselling (which has been mentioned), they wouldn't be making the decision all by themselves, necessarily. Just thinking laterally being picky, as usual.

Yes, I know what you mean Bags. The radio station and Australian media are telling the world that the female DJ has self-harm history and is near to breakdown, then next thing she's crying on TV. Bizarre!

Just wondering why Scotland Yard has to go over to interview them ?

It's an unexplained death that has to be investigated by the relevant CID covering that hospital Nonu.

Oh thanks Whenim .

Cleared that up for me .

I did hear them on the radio this morning - as I said before - saying that this prank was not their own idea. It came up at a planning meeting before the broadcast and was pre-recorded. They thought their accents would give them away, but, judging by her accent on the recording, Mrs Saldanha was not a native English speaker and perhaps would not have noticed the difference.

I'm very interested to hear the real story about the actions of the hospital - can't believe that the poor unfortunate nurses didn't get a verbal dressing down.

We look at the actions of these DJ's from our age and wisdom...would it have been quite so obvious to us when we were in our twenties that this prank was wrong?

I saw the two presenters interviewed on BBC this morning, the female was crying and it could be taken for remorse but I was unconvinced by the attitude of the male presenter. His voice was saying one thing and his eyes and body language were saying something else. I assume it is illegal to broadcast a conversation without the permission of the person recorded.
Radio stations should not be permitted to make these hoax calls and now this has happened perhaps they will desist in future.

I still can't imagine that the royals(being what they are) would just smile and shrug this off as an unfortunate incident, like they would have us all believe.

The Australian DJ's are guilty of a childish prank that probably went too far but that's all as far as I can see.

I was just about to write the same thing, crimson. Many comedy/impressionist shows in the seventies and eighties were based on sending up the Royal Family. Mike Yarwood and Spitting Image to name just two. Anyone impersonating the Queen, however badly, is likely to get a laugh and I believe that the DJs never expected to be put through and were given a real hot potato to deal with when they did. What if the details of Kate's condition had been more revealing than they were?

I do think the hospital must take a large share of the blame. After the Queen, Kate would be their most high profile patient. Why on earth didn't they staff the switchboard accordingly?

Apart from the disgusting crocodile tears, what really annoys me about the so called apologies that are being shown at the moment is that they are using the excuse that 'no one could forsee the outcome'! Thats why one exercises judgement in ones actions every day of your life. For example when you drive you risk assess and choose your speed, direction etc. Being a grown up means you think about others feelings before you take an action.