Prank that got The Married Men in trouble involves mention of child abuse and molest

The radio segment which led to the termination of The Married Men's contract with HotFM 91.3 involved a telephone prank on a woman who was apparently going to take up an early childhood course.

On Thursday, deejay Andre Hoeden called the woman claiming to be an officer from an embassy who was doing a background check on her.

He asked if she hit children, to which she said no. Mr Hoeden then advised her to only hit children from poor families as they would not have the money or time to come after her with lawyers, unlike "expat children" from "very rich" families who could afford lawyers.

The call, which was part of the morning show's "Kena Pluck" humour segment where people are tricked, also involved Mr Hoeden telling her that hugging children was considered molestation in some countries. He then asked if she had ever hit on any of her pupil's fathers.

Hot FM91.3 said on Friday it terminated the services of The Married Men with immediate effect, citing a breach of the terms of its contract.

Mr Jamie Meldrum, senior programme director at SPH UnionWorks, which runs the station, said: "As much as it pains us to take this action after having worked with them for so many years, the segment that was aired was indefensible and we had to take the matter seriously. We apologise to listeners who were offended by it."

SPH UnionWorks and The Married Men Pte Ltd entered into a contract in 2007 for The Married Men to initially produce the Evening Drive Time show and later, in March 2010, the Morning Drive Time show.

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