Ofcom found Radio Caroline in breach of broadcasting rules after three pre-recorded bulletins falsely announcing King Charles' death were aired on May 19, interrupting The Barry Marsh Show. The incorrect announcements included a claim that the "news media" had confirmed the monarch's death, were followed by the national anthem and about 16 minutes of silence, and prompted two complaints. The presenter apologised roughly 30 minutes later. Ofcom ruled the station failed to meet requirements for accuracy and prompt correction; Radio Caroline has reprimanded the staffer involved and reviewed procedures.
Ofcom: Radio Caroline Breached Rules After False Bulletins Announcing King Charles' Death
King Charles in December 2025Credit: Tommy Forbes/Bango Studios/Getty
Ofcom has ruled that U.K. station Radio Caroline breached broadcasting standards after airing three pre-recorded statements on May 19 that falsely announced the death of King Charles. The erroneous bulletins interrupted The Barry Marsh Show, included a claim that the "news media" had confirmed the monarch's death, and were followed by the national anthem and about 16 minutes of silence before regular programming resumed.
What Happened
Radio Caroline explained that the program was being streamed from a presenter’s remote location when a staff member performing maintenance on a studio computer discovered three files prepared in case of the king’s death. Those files are accompanied by "a set of strict instructions to presenters and managers" that must be followed before broadcast. According to the station and Ofcom's bulletin, the staffer "out of curiosity" played the files, which interrupted the remote stream and caused the pre-recorded announcements to go on air.
King Charles in JuneCredit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
After realizing the mistake, the staffer stopped playback and left the studio. The show’s presenter, who was on a call, did not immediately notice. Around 30 minutes after the erroneous bulletins were broadcast, the host apologised on air and confirmed that King Charles was alive: "I've just been informed that we've played in error some information a little earlier... it is incorrect, it's a technical issue, and of course we apologise." Ofcom also recorded that the station received two complaints about the incident.
Ofcom Findings
"News, in whatever form, must be reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality."
"Significant mistakes in news should normally be acknowledged and corrected on air quickly. Corrections should be appropriately scheduled…"
In an Aug. 10 bulletin, Ofcom concluded the station breached two sections of the Broadcasting Code: the requirements for accuracy and impartiality in news, and the obligation to acknowledge and correct significant mistakes promptly on air. Ofcom published its factual record and assessment after investigating the May 19 incident.
King Charles in AprilCredit: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
Station Response and Follow-Up
Radio Caroline said it treated the episode seriously. The station told Ofcom the staffer who played the files was reprimanded and has apologised, the files have been moved to an external hard drive, and hosts and staff were reminded of the relevant procedures to prevent recurrence. The station, which largely broadcasts music from the 1960s to the present, said engineers and staff worked during the 30 minutes leading up to the on-air apology to restore the correct stream.
PEOPLE reported the story and contacted Radio Caroline for comment; Ofcom's bulletin provides the regulator's official findings.
Help us improve.
