In an emotional radio broadcast Tuesday, Ron Bennington of The Ron & Ron Show announced that his partner Ron Diaz' wife has AIDS.
The news helped to explain Diaz' recent absences from the show, notably the duo's annual weeklong broadcast from Universal Studios Florida during Halloween week. Diaz, who was not on the air Tuesday, will be on an indefinite leave of absence.
''Whenever Ron Diaz wishes to return, whether that is tomorrow or two months from now, we're here for him,'' Bennington said in a phone interview from St. Petersburg after the broadcast.
The Ron & Ron Show is syndicated in 11 U.S. cities, including Orlando on 101.1 FM (WJRR). During the 6-10 a.m. show, listeners inundated WJRR and the network's office in St. Petersburg with phone calls and sympathy faxes. Some walked into the network office with flowers, said Ross Reback, president of The Ron & Ron Radio Network.
Diaz' wife, Debbie, who is in her early 30s, was diagnosed with the illness about a year and a half ago, Bennington told listeners, adding that it was not known how she contracted the disease. Although she is currently well, he said there had been ''two scares'' in the past year. Diaz, 38, has tested negative for the virus. The two have been married about five years and have no children.
Bennington said they decided to go public with the news in part to raise public consciousness of AIDS and in part to relieve Diaz of performing under the weight of the secret. Few knew of Debbie Diaz' illness, including the Ron & Ron morning crew.
''Ronnie has gone into a shell where he literally has kept it inside so long I don't think he can take it anymore,'' listeners were told.
Bennington apologized to his audience for not getting serious about AIDS awareness before now. He also said nothing will change about their show. Ron and Ron, self-described as ''Florida's Bad Boys,'' are popular among adults 25-54.
''The shows have stayed very, very funny and will continue to be funny,'' Bennington said. ''We are first and foremost a comedy show . . . I still believe that if you don't laugh you'll cry.''
