Normal service will be resumed, the BBC has promised, after Radio 2 listeners raised concerns over another baffling early-morning performance by Sarah Kennedy.

The broadcaster mispronounced words and let sentences tail off in a rambling show that prompted a number of listeners to voice fears for her health on the station’s website.

Kennedy, 57, referred to Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a “pink polka blot” dress and described the victim in the Phil Spector murder trial as having a “gunshot to her month”. She offered to send some “panties” to soldiers in Afghanistan and also appeared to have difficulty reading the newspaper review.

After garbling one phrase, the former Game for a Laugh host explained: “I’m sorry, I have got a bit of a breathing problem today but I will get that sorted out by going to see the docs.” The BBC blamed Kennedy’s difficulties on a sore throat and said that she hoped to return to the airwaves this morning.

Her performance revived memories of a 1999 broadcast that prompted complaints when she called a clergyman an “old prune”, described her fellow DJ Ken Bruce as an “old fool” and accused a newsreader of soiling her underwear.

Listeners to yesterday’s 6am show, known as Kennedy’s “Dawn Patrollers”, posted comments on the Radio 2 messageboard. “Very odd slurring, struggling to finish longer words, grammatical errors. Her whole scan seemed to be wobbly,” one wrote.

Another said: “Back to the slurring of the words, mispronouncing, dithering etc, etc. She said she had a breathing problem and was seeing her doctor today. Could I tactfully make a suggestion . . . perhaps it would be better for all concerned if Sarah was given some time off until she has totally recovered.”

A third listener wrote: “There was certainly something wrong. Heaps of mispronunciations, slurring, silences and bizarre remarks.” Another described Kennedy’s show as “horrid to listen to”, adding: “There’s obviously something quite badly wrong.”

The BBC denied any suggestion that alcohol was a factor. A Radio 2 spokeswoman said: “Sarah had a very sore throat on Sunday night and unfortunately her voice was beginning to close down just as she was getting up at 3.30am this morning.

“She thought she might not be on top form but honoured her commitment to the ‘Dawn Patrollers’. She has been in bed all day today but is confident that she will be on form and bushy-tailed tomorrow.”

In 1999 Kennedy took a week off work suffering from exhaustion after making a series of inappropriate on-air comments while standing in for Terry Wogan. She has suffered from stress and admitted occasional adverse reactions to treatment to counter the painful condition endometriosis, an abnormality of the womb.

Kennedy joined Radio 2 in 1976 and won a Sony Gold Radio Award in 1995. She is a survivor among a roster that now includes Russell Brand, as Britain’s most popular radio station seeks to attract younger listeners.

Foot-in-mouth

To newsreader Fenella Hadingham:

“It’s nine o’clock, you’re soiling your pants. You haven’t got them on, have you?”

Interrupting a traffic report about a three-car accident:

“Did you say shunt?”

To listeners:

“Ken Bruce’s producer is here. What do you want to say? Where is the old fool?”

Introducing Pause for Thought by the Rev John Newbury:

“Where are you, you old prune?”

To no one in particular:

“Fish and chips — again. It’s me and the head of Radio 4, gob on a stick. I’ll be having dinner tonight.”

After playing a Boyzone record:

“I need you, I need you! Can you mow? Have you a mower? Hee hee!”

Discussing the prowess of African athletes:

“That’s why you black people make such good runners — lions. I thought that was a great letter.”

Source: Sarah Kennedy breakdowns, R2, 1999-2000

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