John Riddell to retire from 7NEWS Adelaide after four decades on TV
He’s been one of Adelaide’s most familiar faces for decades but 7NEWS’ John Riddell has declared it’s finally time to bow out.
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After almost four decades on our screens, 7NEWS presenter John Riddell will sign off for the last time on December 6.
The highly respected newsman has been mulling it over for months, prompted somewhat by turning 63 in September and wanting to leave on his own terms.
“Everything’s just aligned – right age, achievements and it’s time to do other things,” he told the Sunday Mail exclusively.
“There’s nothing I don’t like about Channel 7. They’ve been fantastic to me and to the family.
“I’ve achieved – and I don’t want to sound like I’m the best thing since a can of p**s – I’ve achieved more than what I thought I would.
“I was happy doing weekend news but then to get the Monday to Friday gig … And then this (ratings) run, we’ve been No. 1 for more than 15 years. That’s not going to be beaten, I don’t think, for a long time. If at all.”
He adds with his trademark wit, tongue firmly planted in his cheek: “I’d love to see the figures drop the day I don’t turn up, to zero. I’d feel really good about that, (so I could say) apparently it was all me. That won’t happen.”
7NEWS Adelaide news director Chris Salter paid tribute to Riddell as the “ultimate newsman”.
“Together with the ultimate newswoman (Jane Doyle) they’ve forged a partnership that, by the numbers, might never be beaten,” he says.
“But, he’s an even better bloke. Down-to-earth, charismatic, what you see is what you get. We’ll miss his wit, and wisdom, around the office.”
Doyle added it wouldn’t be the same without JR behind the desk each night, with the loveable “larrikin” responsible for plenty of laughs.
“While he’s always taken his journalism and presenting role very seriously, he’s also very good company and a seriously funny bloke,” she says.
“No subject’s sacred and colleagues at Seven will miss his quirky observations and banter.
“That’s one of the reasons the audience loves him so much.
“He’s a bit of a larrikin and the sort of bloke they reckon they’d like to spend time or have a beer with. And they’re right – he’s extremely entertaining.
“I’m really delighted he and Heather will be able to enjoy more of the lifestyle they love, spending time with their two wonderful adult kids, family and friends and indulging their love of travel.”
While Riddell joked 7NEWS would need “two-three different people” to replace him, it seems, perhaps, he is actually irreplaceable.
The network’s opted to continue with just Doyle behind the desk for the weeknight bulletins.
Salter said the move to a single presenter would be a historic shift for 7NEWS Adelaide.
“It’s fitting it’ll be Jane Doyle behind the desk,” he said.
“She’s been there for 30 years and there’s nothing she hasn’t seen. She’s the matriarch of the Adelaide media and we know she’ll relish the new challenge.”
He’s covered a range of SA stories from tragedies such as the Ash Wednesday bushfires to the Truro and Snowtown murders.
He’s interviewed prime ministers and celebrities from Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke and John Howard to Sir Cliff Richard and Roger Moore. But it was his coverage of the 50th anniversary of the fall of Singapore which touched him the most, tears welling up in his eyes as he recalled interacting with the Diggers and their families.
Riddell admits he could also shed a tear on his last bulletin. “I’m a bit soft – in a manly sort of way, I’ve got more emotional as I’ve grown older,” he said.
He’ll miss the daily buzz of breaking news stories, his Seven workmates who have become like family and all the people he’s met while sharing their stories.
But he’s looking forward to packing up his 4WD and exploring SA with wife Heather, who retired six months ago, spending more time with their adult children Erin and Nicholas, heading overseas for lengthy adventures, surfing and getting his golf handicap back down. And, possibly, most of all, he can’t wait to be able to go out to dinner on a weeknight at a reasonable hour.