Australian Radio Presenters Bombarded With Abuse After Death Of Nurse Jacintha Saldanha

Radio Presenters Under Fire Over Death Of Nurse At Kate Hospital

2Day FM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian, whose initial apology for the prank call to the hospital treating the Duchess of Cambridge was followed by further boasts about it, have been bombarded with online abuse following the news that nurse Jacintha Saldanha has died.

The pair remarked during their Hot30 Countdown show how their efforts were the "easiest prank call ever made".

2Day FM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian

The duo have continued to boast about the gag on Twitter while in a video on the radio station's website they laugh and joke about it.

Greig giggles: "They were the worst accents ever and when we made that phone call, we were sure 100 people at least before us would have tried the same thing."

Sitting beside her in what appears to be their studio, Christian adds: "We got through and now the entire world is talking."

Meanwhile, a banner on the radio station's website continues to proclaims it to be the "biggest royal prank ever".

The pair, who only began hosting the nightly chart show earlier this year, were clearly delighted with the amount of publicity the gag had given them.

Greig, whose Twitter profile proclaims: "I co-host the Hot30 Countdown and Hot30 TV, I attempted to race around the world on the Amazing Race Australia and I have a half decent rack", has continued to tweet about the global reaction to the prank over the past few days.

Earlier, Christian wrote on the site: "Just a show of hands... Who's heard/seen our #RoyalPrank?"

In their earlier apology for the call, the presenters said: "We were very surprised that our call was put through. We thought we'd be hung up on as soon as they heard our terrible accents.

"We're very sorry if we've caused any issues and we're glad to hear that Kate is doing well."

The prank call was pre-recorded and vetted by lawyers before being broadcast to listeners in Sydney.

A spokeswoman for the station said: "2Day FM sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused by the inquiries to Kate's hospital.

"The radio segment was done with lighthearted intentions. We wish Kate and her family all the best and we're glad to hear she's doing well."

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said it has received complaints about the gag.

A statement on its website said: "The Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) has received complaints overnight regarding the 2Day FM prank call to the King Edward VII Hospital in London.

"Under the co-regulatory model, code complaints should first go to the licensee. If a complainant is dissatisfied with the response, then a complaint can be made to the ACMA."

It is not the first time the radio station has got into trouble with the ACMA for its broadcasts.

Earlier this year presenter Kyle Sandilands was found to have breached the decency provisions of the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice after he called a journalist "a fat slag" and told her "watch your mouth or I'll hunt you down" on his radio show.

Angry Twitter users called for Greig and Christian to lose their jobs over the incident.

One user, Alison Hassell, told Greig: "If you have any kind of conscience or morals..... Right about now you should be typing your resignation."

Scott Ashworth tweeted: "You scumbag, hope you get what's coming to you!", while another user, Michael Hird, wrote: "I hope you're happy now.. The receptionist you rang has COMMITTED SUICIDE! You have blood on your hands now!"

Greig also received what appeared to be threats on the social networking site.

Costas Loizou swore at the presenter and ended his message: "I might start calling your mum and leaving messages..in fact expect one on xmas day...."

Other users directed abuse at her co-presenter Christian. Justine Daniel told him the hoax was a "sick joke" and added: "Hope you're banished from being on air forever."

Peter Timmins wrote: "There are no words to describe the disgust that everyone else is feeling about the prank you thought so funny."

Sinead Gavaghan called him a "vile, stupid creature" while Chris Campbell claimed: "You should be fired and the station shut down."

The radio station was still replaying recordings of the hoax call on Friday afternoon, around 0400am Australian time.

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