Matthew Wright today revealed TalkRadio has performed a dramatic U-turn and offered him a new contract.
The broadcaster confirmed last night Wright would be leaving the station at the end of his existing deal later this month, adding they ‘wished him well for the future’.
But the 54-year-old star revealed bosses have now decided to keep him on while telling listeners he’s had ‘a tough time with my mental health.’
Shock: Matthew Wright has revealed he was expecting to leave TalkRadio at Christmas but has had his contract unexpectedly renewed
Speaking to co-host Kevin O’Sullivan, he said: ‘It was all a bit chaotic last night…. I turn up for work today as I was expected to do.
‘And guess what happened… We were told we were going to be signing new contracts.
‘So we’ve not been fired with immediate effect … We’re not going our separate ways as I thought might happen at Christmas,’ he said of O’Sullivan.
‘We’re here into the new year and maybe even beyond.
‘There’s never a dull moment on TalkRadio.’
Wright took to Twitter during the show to thank fans for their messages, writing: ‘Thanks again for all the kind words – I’ve had a tough time with my mental health these past 18mths. I was expecting to leave TalkRadio at end of Xmas but they’d like me and @TVKev to stay on longer now – thanks again.’
Sources close to TalkRadio told MailOnline on Tuesday that a number of presenters, including Iain Lee and Eamonn Holmes, fear for the future of their shows as the station is being taken over in the New Year by Times Radio.
Stepping in: The chat show star’s co-host Kevin O’Sullivan (left) and Kait Borsay stepped in to broadcast his show yesterday
An insider said: ‘Matthew’s had his contract terminated after relations turned sour between him and several of the producers.
‘He received an email telling him his contract wasn’t being renewed and on Tuesday Kevin and Kait stepped in to fill his regular slot.’
A source close to Matthew, added: ‘I can confirm that Matthew will be leaving TalkRadio later this month.
‘He’s enjoyed his time working with the station but is happy to move onto new opportunities.’
An insider said: ‘Matthew’s had his contract terminated after relations turned sour between him and several of the producers’
A spokesman for the station told MailOnline on Tuesday: ‘Matthew has reached the end of his contract with TalkRadio and, as he leaves us, we wish him well for the future.’
The star joined TalkRadio in September 2018, fronting the weekday afternoon slot between 1pm and 4pm.
At the time he said: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining TalkRadio at this fascinating time in history when there’s so much to discuss and debate.
‘My new afternoon show will see me team up with Fleet Street legend, critic Kevin O’Sullivan – two real-life chums who don’t agree on anything!
Gone: The former I’m a Celeb campmate removed any mention of his TalkRadio show from his Twitter bio following the news on Tuesday that he is to depart the broadcaster
‘Free of the restrictions imposed when I was on the goggle box, I’m looking forward to full-on phone-ins and laughs a plenty, not just with TalkRadio’s growing army of loyal listeners, but with an array of celebrity guests too.’
His appointment came three months after he said goodbye to his Channel 5 show, The Wright Stuff, which began airing in 2000.
Wright shed some light on why he was choosing to leave The Wright Stuff, explaining: ‘It’s very clear because my dad died young – to put a roof over my head.
‘So after I did [finished paying] the mortgage, I thought ok. My dad died at my age so I want to do some living.
Stepping in: Current co-host Kevin and Kait Borsay (right) are pictured earlier this month
‘Hopefully a bit of work along the way or I’ll be starving.’
The star became a father to daughter Cassady in January with his wife Amelia after the couple went through IVF treatment for eight years.
Wright previously admitted he’s been left with ‘no idea’ what he’s doing next, after quitting The Wright Stuff amid claims of a fall out with production bosses.
The star said he no longer wanted to live ‘like passing ships’ with wife of eight years Amelia and was tired of the 3am starts and 7pm bedtimes.
Wright ten returned to the breakfast show to give his reasons for the shock departure, confirming he would be gone by the end of June.
‘I’m up at 3am these days. I go to bed at 7pm and it’s been 18 years of this.
‘Mrs Wright [and I] pass like ships in the night and at some point, you’ve got to have a change.’
He went on to say: ‘The demands of getting up for an early morning show – and I’m not going to equate it with digging roads, which is hard as well – but it takes its toll on the old brain.’
However Amelia didn’t seem to be the only reason for his Channel 5 departure, since a source close to the presenter told MailOnline that he had had ‘a bitter row’ with new production team, ITN Productions.
‘Matthew had enough… he wanted out,’ explained the source. ‘When he refused to back down and issue an apology, the show bosses tried to force him to take a week off to reconsider.
He told them he wasn’t going to do that and tensions reached boiling point.’
The TV host is believed to have created tensions when he refused to publicly apologise for a remark made by a celebrity guest about a transgender campaigner being born a boy.
He was warned that unless he broadcast an apology on the next day’s show, he would not be allowed on air.
As a result, Wright refused to front the show that week and viewers were simply told he was ‘off sick’.
A spokesman for the star denied he had quit because of this.
In a statement announcing his departure, he said: ‘After almost 18 glorious years on Channel 5 and the show flying high in the ratings, I feel it’s time to move and try my hand at something new.’
Over: His appointment came three months after he said goodbye to his Channel 5 show, The Wright Stuff, which began airing in 2000