Will Mix’s new co-host save Ali Clarke from rating hell in 2023? Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello reveals he’s turned down the role

Mix 102.3 has announced a TV personality will join Ali Clarke’s floundering breakfast show after Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello turned down a chance to return to the airwaves.

A fresh face will join Mix 102.3’s breakfast show in a last minute offer after Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello knocked back the opportunity to return to the radio airwaves.

On Friday, the station announced Ten sports presenter Max Burford will join the Ali Clarke Breakfast Show in January 2023 alongside Clarke, and fellow co-hosts Shane Lowe and Eddie Bannon.

“When it rains it pours …” the sports presenter wrote on Instagram.

“Going to be a lot of fun drivelling nonsense and listening to Dua Lipa every day, assuming I don’t sleep through my alarms.”

The last minute offer comes after the station spent more than $100,000 promoting the breakfast show since July.

Radio ratings put the show in sixth spot with 8.3 share points — 6.3 share points below the top show, FIVEaa duo David Penberthy and Will Goodings.

Kate Freebairn and Max Burford are Channel 10 Adelaide's new newsreader and sports presenter. Picture: Channel 10.,

Burford’s announcement came only days after Costello revealed he had declined the “tempting” opportunity to focus on his family and other projects.

Dumped by SAFM in October, the popular media personality revealed he was offered a job on a commercial breakfast show last week.

But Costello – who declined to say which station made the offer – said he’s “never been happier” and instead chose to turn down the lucrative position, rumoured to be on Mix 102.3.

“Although I was tempted to hit the airwaves next year, we have decided we have enough on our plate here,” he said.

Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello with his daughter Matilda and horses Molly and Winnie, on his farm at Harrogate. Picture: Matt Turner

“Since leaving SAFM I can honestly say I’ve never been happier.

“It’s allowed me to focus on other parts of our business, spend more time with the kids and more time with my sheep.”

Radio insiders say Mix 102.3, which has been linked to Costello since his axing in October, had approached the South Aussie with Cosi TV host to join the early morning show hosted by Ali Clarke. Mix has been approached for comment.

Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello in front of the big Santa at the Adelaide Central Markets. Picture: Matt Loxton

Costello said he will now turn his attention to his top-rating Seven travel show, his two charities, Cows for Cambodia and Cows for Botswana, and spending more time with family including wife Samantha and children Harry, Matilda and Charli-Rose.

“The family and I are spending ten days in Aldinga in January. We take our horses down there and ride on the beach. If I was to return to brekkie radio I would have had to tell my daughter I couldn’t ride with her,” he said.

“The thought of having to tell her that was pretty heartbreaking.”