An online petition by a Sydney student calling for an advertising boycott of Alan Jones has garnered more than 80,000 signatures as sponsors abandon the talkback host.
Jones apologised on his Sydney radio station 2GB today for telling a Sydney University Liberal Club function that Prime Minister Julia Gillard's father, who passed away last month, had "died of shame" because of her "lies".
But the backlash against him continued as federal MPs condemned his words and a growing list of sponsors moved to shun him.
The website change.org said today a petition started by student Nic Lochner had been signed by more than 80,000 people.
The petition says Jones's comments are "cruel, reprehensible and utterly shameful".
"Companies should not be supporting these ugly, hateful attacks - advertisers should withdraw their support from Alan Jones' program immediately," the petition states.
On his popular breakfast show today, Jones said his apology was unqualified and should not be linked to comments he made during the weekend expressing his dislike of the Gillard government.
"I am sorry for what I said. It is more than regret, I am genuinely sorry for the remark. I didn't think the comment would be reported. It was made thoughtlessly and off the cuff," he said on-air.
But advertisers and sponsors, including major firms, have made it clear they want to distance themselves from Jones's comments.
Honda Australia and Hyundai today joined the long list of companies who have taken their advertisements off Jones' show.
Coles, Woolworths, Mercedes-Benz, ING Direct, Dilmah Tea, Bing Lee, Freedom Furniture and the finance management firm Challenger all dropped their sponsorship yesterday.
The Australian International Motor Show has also withdrawn its advertising from Jones's radio program.
Volvo Car Australia said it was carefully considering any potential future advertising on 2GB.
Three regional radio stations have also announced they will no longer run Jones's show.
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd said Jones suffered from delusions of grandeur and should be boycotted by politicians.
But today, Jones took call after call from listeners with messages of support, some calling him their "hero" and expressing their anger against his critics.
