Capital FM bosses have reportedly 'read the riot act' to radio DJ Ant Payne after his sick joke about the Turkey-Syria earthquakes.
The drivetime programme presenter sparked backlash as he made a joke, telling listeners to grab some "cheap flights to Turkey" following the natural disaster, in which an estimated 35,000 people died.
Addressing the listeners, Ant said: "I think now actually is the best time to start looking at some cheap flights to Turkey over the next few years.
"You can get your teeth done while you're over there.
"You can come back looking 19 years, you'll be on Love Island next year if you do it!"
The show which broadcasts from Global's head office in London's Leicester Square is listened to by millions of people each afternoon.
Ant today issued a grovelling apology in a tweet, which read: "Hi guys, I want to address the comment I made last night on the show. It was insensitive and ill timed. I would never wish to offend anyone from my shows. My sincere and wholehearted apologies."
However, it has now been claimed bosses at Global, which is the brand behind Capital FM, read Ant the riot act.
A source told The Sun: "Ant is keeping his job but Global made it crystal clear the comments were far from acceptable.
"Not only do they make him personally look unsavoury but it also pulls into question the judge of character of the whole station.
"The fact Ant initially tried to deny he even said it also got people's backs up."
Ant was told to "unlock his Twitter account" and "issue a public apology" following the uproar, the source claimed.
Ant has been the drive time host on Capital London since 2019.
His comments left listeners reeling on Monday afternoon, with many taking to social media to condemn the radio host.
In a storm of backlash, one listener tweeted: "@CapitalOfficial are you seriously going to allow this shameful and heartless employer of yours Ant Payne to make jokes at the expense people, children who died in the #TurkeyEarthquake?!! Disgusting piece of S**t!!!"
"This is f***ing volatile. Imagine. God forbid we ever have to lose our loved ones in such a devastating way but you're good cause you can get some new veneers. I honestly can't fathom how he said this with such vim. Laughing about it #capitalFM," fumed a second.
While a third went on to write: "@CapitalOfficial Ant Payne needs removing after his insensitive vile comment, how shameful. Prayers for Turkey."
"Over 35,000 are dead. A country in mourning. Thousands of people trying to raise money for those affected and this is what @CapitalOfficial says about it. I am in shock and disgusted…" penned a fourth.
Last week, catastrophic twin earthquakes struck Syria and Turkey causing mass devastation as well as a huge chasm in the earth's crust.
It's estimated that the quake which measured at least 7.8 on the Richter scale has claimed the lives of more than 35,000 people with people still being pulled from the debris.
