Australian Radio Network (ARN) has announced that international radio star Christian O’Connell is moving to Melbourne to hosting GOLD 104.3 breakfast in 2018.
O’Connell replaces Jo Stanley and Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann, who were axed late last year from the brekkie slot on GOLD 104.3.
His appointment is a huge coup for ARN. In a world first, the radio network will bring a highly successful international show to Australia.
O’Connell is best known as the host of The Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show on Absolute Radio in the UK.
The youngest ever inductee into the UK’s Radio Academy Hall of Fame and winner of more Radio Academy Awards than any other person, O’Connell is also a successful stand-up comedian, author and TV presenter.
When looking at the opportunity to move to Australia, O’Connell said he and his young family specifically chose Melbourne as the city they wanted to settle in.
“The chance to move to Melbourne was an opportunity just too good to pass up because, well, who wouldn’t want to move to the world’s most liveable city?” he said.
“My family and I chose Melbourne for the lifestyle, comedy and arts culture, and, obviously, the coffee. And the wine. Did I mention the wine? And I’ve also heard you get a bit more of something called ‘the sun’.
“The decision to leave the UK has been the hardest of my life, but we can’t wait to start this new adventure.
“Radio is my life, and I’m excited to bring my breakfast show to Gold104.3, Melbourne’s strongest music station.
“I’ve always seen being on radio in the morning as a great privilege – to be someone’s mate in the morning – and I’m looking forward to bringing something fresh and new to listeners to help them kick off their day.”
ARN’s national content director, Duncan Campbell, said: “ARN is committed to creating the future of audio entertainment, with radio at the core, and having talent the calibre of Christian O’Connell on our network is key to our strategy.
“Christian’s radio show is like nothing Melbourne has heard before. and this change is a bold, progressive move for ARN and the entire local industry.
“His sense of fun, relatable humour and quick wit will be perfect for GOLD 104.3, and Christian is regarded as being one of the best interviewers around with his radio show known for great guests including his mates Ricky Gervais, Chris Martin from Coldplay, Liam Gallagher and U2.
“Even the hard-to-please Jeremy Clarkson said he does the best interviews in the world.
“Announcing Christian’s new breakfast show for Melbourne’s GOLD 104.3 is the final piece in our national content strategy, and is a key part of ARN’s wider strategy to re-energise our offering to Melbourne and to the Pure Gold network overall.”
More details about O’Connell’s Melbourne breakfast show on GOLD 104.3 will be announced over the coming weeks.
