Two New Zealand DJs suspended for on-air prank on Ben Stokes’ mother

Two New Zealand radio DJs have faced the consequences of an unnecessary prank after they were temporarily suspended for broadcasting a heated telephone conversation with the mother of England all-rounder Ben Stokes without her permission.

Deborah Stokes, Ben’s mother, had called the Radio Hauraki to defend Ben from criticism when presenters Jeremy Wells and Matt Heath were discussing his World T20 performance on air. Stokes faced heartbreak after he was hit by Carlos Brathwaite for four successive sixes to steal an extraordinary victory for West Indies in the final of the World T20 at Kolkata.

Ben Stokes is originally from New Zealand and was born in Christchurch and later moved to England aged 12 with his father who was looking for a coaching role in the country. But, his parents currently live there. Deborah Stokes called in asking to speak to someone off air but was unwittingly broadcast defending her son from what she called a “personal attack”.

“I don’t know whether they realize he was born and bred in New Zealand and quite frankly has family all over the country,” she said. “And for those who listen to your station, for them to sit and listen to their cousin, their grandson being bagged like that is absolutely unconscionable and I’m his mother and I’m totally brassed off.

“It’s not about the cricket it’s about the personal attack on him. They called him arrogant and then they called him some kind of name. They don’t know him. They wouldn’t have a blooming clue.”

A spokesperson for New Zealand Media and Entertainment said that Wells and Heath had crossed the line, adding: “They have been suitably reprimanded, and are off-air tomorrow.”