Steve Garrison, a longtime London radio personality, was among 18 Bell Media employees in London and Windsor handed pink slips Monday as part of country-wide cuts by the media giant.

Garrison, 61, found out his 40-year career at AM 1290 was over after he signed off at 10 a.m. Monday.

“As soon as I got off the air, I was called downstairs” for a meeting with management, he said.

“I was escorted out the door.”

Until August, Garrison headed the morning show, London in the Morning, for 27 years, fulfilling a lifetime dream to be a morning radio personality in his hometown. After beginning his career in Stratford at the age of 17, he moved to CJBK in 1975.

Garrison was moved a few months ago from his morning slot at 6 a.m.to 9 a.m. to an hour-long show between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m, He was told the station wanted to attract a younger demographic.

“I never thought my career would ever end this way . . . I don’t know where the time has gone,” he said. “You’re basically told, ‘We don’t need you anymore.’ ”

Garrison’s fans took to Twitter to express shock and lash out at Bell Media for letting him go.

Garrison said he has one regret. “The sad part is that you never get the chance to say good-bye to all the friends you made on the radio through all these years,” he said.

He said he wasn’t sure what he would do this morning.

“It’s a brand-new experience. I really don’t know where to start.”

Though most of the 380 job cuts promised by Bell Media earlier this month hit last week, CTV Two in Southwestern Ontario was one of the last of Bell’s companies to get its dire news.

Twelve unionized and six non-union positions at television and radio divisions were eliminated, including three camera operators, an assignment editor and three editors.

The cuts affect both the Windsor and London television operations, although most of the jobs for both news broadcasts were in London.

The only on-air person cut from the TV station was health reporter Jan Sims.

The mood at the station Monday was “a bit morgue-like,” said Scott Burton, unit vice-chairperson of Unifor Local 87-M.

“From an operational sense, what’s sad is how much experience and skill is going out the door. It’s real breathtaking to some degree.”

jane.sims@sunmedia.ca

twitter.com/JaneatLFPress

LISTENERS WEIGH IN

After Bell Media sent popular radio host Steve Garrison packing Monday, his fans took to Twitter. A sampling:

“Incredibly sad. I grew up with Steve Garrison at CJBK in London.”

@paulviera

“He’ll be missed. Thank you Steve Garrison, for serving your listeners so well for so long.”

@loriepaddock

“I’ll really miss Steve Garrison @CJBK. Always had a sensible approach and kind words, true community builder.”

Keith Tomasek @FestivalReviews