AWOL Moyles just a stunt?

Chris Moyles is better known for being blunt rather than for his cunning stunts.

So concern mounted yesterday when the Radio 1 breakfast DJ failed to turn up for work.

The 32-year-old had often been late for his early-morning stints, but never before had he gone AWOL.

Conspiracy theories started circulating. Surely the no-nonsense Yorkshireman's no-show was sending a signal he had finally had enough of his £630,000-a-year job?

Just last week, 'Moylesey' was branded racist on air by actress Halle Berry after trying to do an impersonation of a 'black American guy'.

The Beeb denied the charge on his behalf. But maybe, listeners thought, the reaction to the latest in a long line of outbursts since he took on the show in 2004 had proved too much.

It was certainly clear his absence was felt by Radio 1 colleagues left to man the studio.

Sidekick Comedy Dave sounded bemused. 'We have tried ringing his home - nothing,' he told listeners.

'His phone is switched off. Your guess is as good as mine. The honest truth is I don't know.'

Early-morning presenters JK and Joel were roped in to do an extra-long stint after their pre-breakfast show, gamely stepping in where the rants and prolonged silences of DJ Moyles would normally be filling the air.

Speculation continued through the show that the main man was still drowning his sorrows after football's Championship play-off final on Sunday, which saw his team Leeds United soundly trounced 3-0 by minnows Watford. As they went off air, no one seemed any the wiser.

Soon the station was inundated with queries about its highest paid star's whereabouts, and the Corporation finally revealed the whole thing had been an elaborate gag on the show's million-plus listeners.

Moyles had simply booked the day off and should be back at the microphone this morning. A Radio 1 spokesman said: 'It was a bit of fun with the audience.

Everybody involved knew he wasn't coming in. Chris had the day off and everyone on the show thought they would have a joke with the listeners.