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Sammy J signs off,
Melbourne mornings will miss him,
New dawn awaits show.
Sammy J to exit ABC Radio Melbourne's breakfast show after 5-year tenure
Sammy J, the well-known presenter of ABC Radio Melbourne's breakfast show, is set to depart the station after a five-year stint. Known for his creative approach to the program, Sammy J began hosting the breakfast show just before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. His tenure has been marked by notable initiatives, including a 24-hour charity broadcast and a skit featuring all ABC Radio Melbourne presenters.
Sammy J's creative flair extended to writing viral songs on various topics, ranging from Melbourne's e-scooters to a proposed Harry Potter theme park. His unique approach to radio broadcasting and his connection with the audience have been key features of his time at the station.
In a statement, Sammy J expressed his feelings about leaving the show, "Hosting Melbourne Breakfast was an unexpected opportunity that became an unexpected joy," he said. "But radio demands all of you and deserves nothing less, and after five years I’m ready to trade the 4:15am alarm for more regular hours. I leave with pride, gratitude, and a litany of cash-for-comment scandals that will be revealed in due course."
Shelley Hadfield, ABC Radio Melbourne Acting Manager, praised Sammy J's contribution to the station. "Sammy has asked the questions we never knew we wanted answered," she said. "He’s grilled the Prime Minister and the Premier, he broke the news to Melbourne of the Queen’s death, and he’s interviewed musicians, magicians, meatworkers and mathematicians. But it’s Sammy’s connection with the audience which has been a hallmark of his time at 774. You only had to see the listeners turn up at the crack of dawn for his outside broadcasts to understand what an impact he has had on people’s lives."
Sammy J's final Breakfast program will air on Friday, December 13. ABC Radio Melbourne is set to make announcements about the 2025 line-up in the coming week.