Together with Hampus Hedström and Assia Dahir, David Druid was supposed to host this year's edition of "Musikhjälpen".
However, Sveriges Radio recently announced that Druid, a presenter on "Morgonpasset" among other things, had taken a break after videos of private arguments were shared on social media.
SR's national director Charlotta Friborg has said she wants him to return, but under "orderly conditions".
14 hours
"Musikhjälpen" has found an experienced replacement for him. Farah Abadi hosted the fundraising programme from 2017 to 2020. She does not hesitate to lock herself in the glass cage once again to broadcast live for up to 14 hours a day on P3 and SVT Play.
Sometimes I feel like a court jester in my job. I'm here to entertain and have fun. It's not often you get to do something that really means something to someone else in the world - but this is that kind of job.
“A people's movement in goodness,” said last year's presenter, Linnéa Wikblad. Farah Abadi also talks about a work week in which she becomes increasingly thin-skinned and moved by the listeners' commitment and people's vulnerability.
“Cried and cried”
She especially remembers the pandemic year of 2020, when the glass cage was set up inside the Annex at the Globen in Stockholm. Presenters and participants - to the extent that they were even allowed in - were forced to keep their distance. Outside, a rabbit-raising competition was taking place. Then her co-presenter, Felix Sandman, broke down.
He cried and cried and thought it was the sweetest thing he had ever seen in his entire life. Then, of course, I remember all the children who got involved and all the adults who took the time to organise various fundraisers. It warms my heart!
As a presenter of “Musikhjälpen”, you are part of something fantastic and magical together.
Last year, listeners donated 74.6 million kronor to Radiohjälpen. This year's fundraiser is for initiatives on the theme of "mental health in war and crisis".
We presenters don't get much training in the subject beforehand. It will be incredibly fun to learn something new.
What do you think?