Outspoken radio talk show host Martin Gillingham is facing a R50 000 defamation claim from television sports broadcaster Darren Scott for comments made on his morning show on Cape Talk.
The much-loved, much-hated deejay, well-known for his frank comments and unforgiving criticism of his subjects, lambasted Scott on air for bad mouthing sports journalist Neil Manthorp.
Manthorp disclosed in July that auditing documents showed a deposit of R100 000 in former disgraced national cricket captain Hansie Cronje's bank account, courtesy of Scott.
Scott was reportedly not too happy about the disclosure or the implications and publicly admonished Manthorp.
Gillingham heard about this and criticised Scott on his show.
"Yes, I did it very passionately. But that is the nature of talk show radio, you can't be a shrinking violet.
"I stand by what I said and am convinced it was entirely fair comment. Any right-thinking person would agree.
"I made the point that radio and television personalities should not publicly use their positions to slag off people who have offended them."
Gillingham said Scott thereafter invited him on to his television show on M-Net.
"We parted on good terms and I was surprised and a bit disappointed to see that he took it so far on such a personal level.
"To me it is not a personal issue and I have no lingering enmity with Darren. He's a professional broadcaster and is probably one of the easiest people in front of the camera.
"But there are times when one can overstep the mark and on this occasion he did it with Neil Manthorp.
"If any professional media person had to act like this frequently he would certainly lose is job.
"Darren and I have no personal history and there's no reason for professional rivalry. He's a successful businessman who is grappling with the enormity of his ego and therefore he can't see the issue with a clear view.
"This is something that should not have gone to court," Gillingham said.
Scott's lawyer, Gavin Tinkler, said they did not wish to comment any further on the matter.
"All the details are in the court papers," he said.
Tinkler said they would be prepared to discuss an out-of-court settlement if Gillingham was willing.
Cape Talk station manager Lucia Venter said the station was backing Gillingham because it felt he had not contravened anything.
"There was nothing wrong with what Martin said; there was nothing defamatory.
"Darren Scott is a public figure and as such gets comment from the public as well as other media," Venter said.