​FORMER Heart and Lantern FM radio duo Hopps and Chapple have paid tribute to their loyal and supportive listeners in a farewell show recorded exclusively for the Journal.

Paul Hoppercorr, 48, and James Chapplecorr, 24, have presented the breakfast show together since 2005, initially at Lantern FM and then from 2008 when the station was taken over by national firm Heart.

But when Heart announced plans in June to merge its Devon stations into a “centre of broadcasting excellence” in Exeter, Hopps and Chapple learned they would be made redundant, along with drive time presenter Suse Rolfe and news reporter Louise Smithboth corr.

Hopps and Chapple, who have racked up 25 years of North Devon radio broadcasting between them, were not allowed to say goodbye to long-time listeners during their final show on Friday, August 27corr.

But the pair have recorded a short farewell message which is now available to listen to exclusively by clicking on the links below.

The final farewell message

On our way song

The show includes farewell phone calls from listeners which were barred from air during the final Heart show.

Paul Hopper, who joined Lantern FM in 1995, said: “It was a sad day for both of us. Although we weren’t allowed to say goodbyes, we did defy the station’s song play list at the end of the final show to play Eternal Flame by the Bangles, which was the first song ever to be played on Lantern FM.

“Over the years we’ve loved working at the station and had a huge amount of fun.”

Paul says that Ofcom’s new legislation which allows small stations to merge has killed local radio.

He said: “Heart Devon is not local, it is regional and I’m sure it won’t work in the long run. North Devon is a unique area. We don’t have other local stations like some towns and cities.

“In January this year, when the snow came, we scrapped our usual schedule and dealt solely with letting people know what schools and businesses were open. Will a regional station do the same?”

However, James Chapple ex$that the pair were keen to keep the Hopps and Chapple brand alive.

He said: “The support we’ve had from local people has been incredible.

“Last weekend alone we hosted the Fremington Party at the Manor event as well as helping out with the Mini Run between Westward Ho! and Ilfracombe.

“We’ll be hosting Christmas light switch-on events throughout North Devon and hope to take part in both Barnstaple and Bideford carnival if we can get hold of a vehicle.”

Paul added: “We are both very much behind the idea of a new commercial radio station for North Devon and would be keen to get involved.

“The future looks pretty uncertain at the moment but Ian Starlingcorr of Network North Devon has done some fantastic groundwork with Ofcom which could pave the way for a new station.

“North Devon certainly deserves its own station and we will help out wherever possible to ensure it gets one.”

If you have a question for Hopps and Chapple feel free to get in touch via the Journal by e-mailing editorial@northdevonjournal.co.uk