Michael Christian and Mel Greig were presenting on 2day FM. Photo / Don Arnold, Getty Images
Michael Christian and Mel Greig were presenting on 2day FM. Photo / Don Arnold, Getty Images
The Australian radio DJ who made a hoax call to a hospital caring for the Princess of Wales, leading to the suicide of a nurse, has blamed his bosses for the prank.
Michael Christian and Mel Greig were presenting on 2day FM in December 2012 when they called the privateKing Edward VII hospital in London, pretending to be Queen Elizabeth and the then Prince Charles.
Catherine, who was pregnant with Prince George at the time, was being treated for severe morning sickness.
Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who answered the phone and disclosed private medical information to the prank callers, later took her own life, prompting a backlash against the radio hosts and the broadcaster.
Christian has now alleged he was ordered by 2day FM’s production team to make the prank call and impersonate the late Queen and Charles to gain access to the duchess.
He has sued the station’s broadcaster, Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), in the Australian federal court, claiming that the company had promised to provide support if the content put out by its “shock jocks” ever went too far.
Nurse Jacintha Saldanha's daughter Lisha, husband Ben Barboza and son Junal pictured in 2012. Photo / Dan Kitwood, Getty Images
The broadcaster, who was made redundant in February, said he had been let down by the organisation, which had failed to “step in” and instead let its presenters take the blame, impacting their careers.
In court documents seen by the Australian media, Christian’s lawyers wrote: “SCA did not immediately take public accountability for the incident, but rather allowed Mr Christian and Ms Greig to be left exposed to relentless public vitriol, harassment and abuse, including death threats.
“The radio presenters were left by SCA as the convenient fall guys and scapegoats for SCA management decisions and non-compliance.”
Presenter ‘gradually marginalised’ at work
Christian reportedly alleged that his reputation had been severely damaged, leading to the loss of future earning capacity.
He said he had started as a 2day FM presenter two days before the prank call, which he alleges breached the Australian Communications and Media Authority code of practice.
Australian DJ Mel Greig pictured during the inquest into the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha in London, England, in 2014. Photo / Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images
He added that he was told in early 2013 that SCA would help restore his reputation and rebuild his career, a promise which meant that he opted against pursuing legal action at that time.
However, the court documents allege that the firm failed to provide meaningful health support, did not start a public relations campaign to rebuild his brand and failed to offer meaningful opportunities or pay rises to reward his loyalty.
Instead, he claims he was “gradually marginalised” within the organisation.
Rhys Holleran, SCA’s chief executive at the time of the incident, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 2024 that he still suffered anxiety about the incident. “I have always felt completely and utterly responsible for this,” he said.
Greig broke down at the conclusion of the inquest into the death of Saldanha, a mother of two, in 2014.
She said: “I really just wanted to say I am truly sorry, I’ve wanted to say that for so long.
“This tragedy will always stay with me and serve as a constant reminder. I was always concerned for the well being of both nurses and I wish I had tried harder to stop the prank call from airing.”
