Radio's popular "Dr Luurve" has been axed for the second time - and his bosses insist this time there is no way back.

Smooth-talking Southern FM DJ Ambrose Harcourt told us of his anger and disappointment after learning his contract would not be renewed.

Hundreds of fans of his late-night love songs show flooded the station with complaints after his previous sacking in July 1997.

Mr Harcourt, of Worthing, was invited back two years later to reintroduce his three-times-a-week Love Zone show.

Now the independent Sussex station has decided to pull the plug for good when his contract ends next month. His last show will be on March 30.

Mr Harcourt, 52, said: "This came completely out of the blue.

"I expected my contract to be renewed because the show is so popular - on Valentine's Day we had 1,000 calls for songs.

"I'm still in a state of shock. It's a crazy decision because so many people enjoy the show. We have people listening on the internet from as far afield as America and Australia.

"Not many people know I'm going yet. I haven't told the listeners but the few people who do know are just as shocked as I am."

Mr Harcourt's show, on air from 10pm to midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, includes listeners calling in with tales of love.

Southern FM dropped him last time after deciding his music did not fit in with younger music tastes and the rise of Britpop bands such as Oasis, Blur and Pulp. This time he believes his brand of classic love songs has fallen victim to modern dance music.

Tony Aldridge, programme controller for Southern FM, said: "This is a mutual decision. We both recognised Southern FM's music mix has changed and the Love Zone does not fit with the station sound."