Radio 4 hits back at Greg James in hilarious feud after Radio 1 DJ claims newsreader was 'chicken'

Radio 4 has hit back it its playful spat with Radio 1 DJ Greg James. The amusing feud began after American rap artist A Boogie Wit da Hoodie pulled out of his scheduled performance at Manchester's maligned Co-Op Live arena.

The arena claimed it was a 'venue-related technical issue'. Manchester's AO Arena has since announced it has taken on the gig. When reporting this news, Radio 4 newsreader Caroline Nicholls failed to read out the artist's unique name during the bulletin, going instead with just 'American rapper'.

This did not escape the attention of James, who pointed it out on his breakfast show. He suggested that perhaps Nicholls had been too scared to try reading out the name, and perhaps she had 'chickened out'.

Radio 4 was quick to respond though, saying the following in a later news bulletin: "Radio 4 news and the Radio On Breakfast Show are not natural bedfellows, but the presenter Greg James, it transpires, is a keen listener to our output. As he tuned in this morning, he was puzzled by some information missing from the story about another cancelled concert at the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester.

"Emails were exchanged between Radio One, the Today Programme and the radio newsroom. Gauntlets were thrown down – nobody calls Caroline Nicholls chicken."

A line then appears to have been drawn under the episode with a fresh news bulletin being read out, and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie having his name read out in full.

Listers appeared to be enjoying it, with one person saying on X: "Radio gold right there. That's why we do it! Well done to all involved."

"Brilliant worth the Licence Fee alone," said another, while a third added: "So silly I love it!"