Boston Radio: WBZ-FM's Fred Toucher Taking Time-Off

WBZ 98.5 FM The Sports Hub radio host Fred Toucher will be off the air for an undisclosed amount of time after an unsettling show Tuesday during which he revealed details of his personal life and the effects they were having on him.

The Boston Globe reports Toucher, who cohosts the highly rated “Toucher and Rich” program with Rich Shertenlieb, revealed that he is going through a divorce. He had been late for the show, and during the 7 a.m. hour sounded agitated enough that Shertenlieb suggested he take some time off and offered to go off the air with him.

Toucher was not part of Wednesday’s program. A few minutes before noon, he posted an update to his status on Instagram, saying he was seeking help.

Fred Toucher

“First of all thank you to the listeners that have my back,” he wrote. “For some reason I want you guys to know I have never been drunk on the air [management has never accused me of such] I am going to a mental institution next week. I am sometimes too forthcoming on the air. I’m used to just being honest about my life but when you are a [expletive] that isn’t such a good idea.”

Coming out of the first commercial break in the 6 a.m. hour on Wednesday’s show, Shertenlieb explained why Toucher wasn’t part of the show.

“Listen, with everything that’s going on, Fred’s going to take a couple of days off,” said Shertenlieb. “And we love the guy, can’t wait until he gets back.

Management at the Sports Hub did not provide specifics on Toucher’s status, but passed along a statement from its corporate parent, Beasley Media Group.

“As a responsible company committed to the Boston Community," the statement read, “we take this matter very seriously. Fred will be off the air while we continue to review the situation.”

“Toucher and Rich” has long been one of the most popular radio shows in the Boston market, starting out on now-defunct rock station WBCN before becoming a sports show when 98.5 The Sports Hub launched in August 2009.

In the most recent ratings period, “Toucher & Rich” finished first in the men 25-54 demographic (sports radio’s most targeted audience) in morning drive with a 12.7 share.