Former 2Day FM radio host Michael Christian sues Southern Cross Austereo over royal prank
An Australian radio personality at the centre of the 2012 royal prank that ended in tragedy has launched legal action against Southern Cross Austereo (SCA).
Michael Christian was presenting on 2Day FM at the time with co-host Mel Greig when they made the phone call to a London hospital to inquire about Princess Catherine – then the Duchess of Cambridge – who was admitted for severe morning sickness ahead of the birth of her and Prince William's first child, Prince George.
Christian alleges he was ordered by the 2Day FM production team to make the hoax call to King Edward VII hospital while impersonating the then-Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth to try to get detailed information about the duchess.
Former 2Day FM radio hosts Michael Christian and Mel Greig copped severe backlash for their infamous royal prank in 2012.
Their call was transferred by a nurse named Jacintha Saldanha to the duchess' nurse, who then shared the royal's private medical information on air.
Saldanha sadly took her life days after the prank call, and both Christian and Greig copped widespread backlash over the prank.
Now, more than a decade after the infamous incident, Christian is suing 2Day FM broadcaster SCA in the federal court, claiming the network let the hosts be the 'fall guys', which negatively impacted their careers.
The Aussie radio duo called the King Edward VII hospital in London where Prince William's wife Princess Catherine was being treated for acute morning sickness. Picture: Indigo/Getty Images
'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,' his lawyers wrote in the court documents.
'The radio presenters were left by SCA as the convenient fall guys and scapegoats for SCA management decisions and noncompliance.'
The hoax call turned to tragedy when a nurse who picked up the phone call took her own life days later.
Christian – who was just two days into the job at the time – claimed the company had promised to provide support to the 'shock jocks' if the prank ever went too far.
He says the broadcaster told him in 2013 that they would help restore his reputation and rebuild his career, and he felt let down when SCA did not keep their word.
'As the matter is currently before the courts, and out of respect for the legal process and the privacy of those involved, it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time,' an SCA spokesperson told news.com.au on Tuesday morning.
After the backlash, Christian and Greig appeared on a series on TV interviews on which they said they were 'gutted, shattered and heartbroken'.
'I'm very sorry and saddened for the family, and I can't imagine what they've been going through,' Greig said on Today Tonight at the time.
'For the part we played, we're incredibly sorry,' Christian added.
In the new court docs, Christian alleges he suffered physical and psychological injury, hurt, humiliation and distress and is seeking penalties, compensation for economic loss and damages.
In 2013, Greig filed a similar claim against SCA with Fair Work Australia, accusing them of failing to maintain a safe workplace.
The case was 'amicably resolved' and Greig later resigned from the network.
As for Christian, he stayed on with the network until he was made redundant in February this year.
Originally published as Former 2Day FM radio host sues Southern Cross Austereo over infamous royal prank
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