Kym Dillon sounded out by Channel 9 with Warren Tredrea’s future under a cloud over station’s double vaccination policy

His job offer from Mix 102.3 was withdrawn as the station set its sights on Ali Clarke – now 9News is sounding out Kim Dillon to replace vax-hesitant anchor Warren Tredrea.

Warren Tredrea’s uncertain future at Channel 9 could see the return of one of the TV station’s favourite sons next year.

The Advertiser understands Kym Dillon has been sounded out by 9News Adelaide for the weekday sports presenter role currently filled by Tredrea.

Tredrea and Nine are in a stand-off over the ex-Power star’s rumoured objection to a double vaccination mandate introduced nationally by the TV station this month.

Tredrea, 42, has taken immediate leave to ponder his stance and Nine is believed to have contacted Dillon about a possible return to the sports desk.

Dillon was dumped by Nine in 2015 after 27 years on air, receiving the news on his birthday and without the chance to farewell viewers.

Nine insists the speculation is off the mark and Tredrea is merely “on a break”.

“Any suggestion Nine Adelaide is speaking to, ‘sounding out’ or considering Kym Dillon for a sport presenting role is inaccurate and not the case,” the network said in a statement.

TV and radio presenter Kym Dillon.

It comes as reports emerge that the longtime media personality was headhunted by Mix 102.3 to fix the radio station’s flagging breakfast show currently hosted by Erin Phillips and Mark Soderstrom.

But a last-minute change of plans by management scuttled hopes of a comeback, as speculation intensifies that outgoing ABC radio presenter Ali Clarke will rejoin Mix breakfast.

Radio insiders say FM station Mix has been pursuing SEN SA drive presenter Dillon from as far back as March after he was spotted at a North Adelaide cafe with Mix consultant Phil Dowse.

He previously worked with Clarke and Chris Dzelde on a top-rating breakfast show which ruled the airwaves during the early 2000s.

The trio spent five years together at Mix before making a stunning defection to rivals Triple M in 2008. They quit the post with much fanfare in 2010 amid rumours of infighting between the trio.

Dillon declined to comment on the speculation but when asked if he would have been happy to work with Clarke again, he said: “Never say never but there’s normally a good reason someone is in your rear view mirror.”

Mix denied the reports, with a spokeswoman saying there are no changes to announce.

Mix 102.3 breakfast crew Kym Dillon, Chris Dzelde and Ali Clarke in the studio at Tynte Street, North Adelaide, in 2006.

The trio defected to Triple M in 2008 but industry rumours suggested they didn’t always get along, and Dillon later remarked “there’s normally a good reason someone is in your rear view mirror”.

Clarke revealed over the weekend that she has quit her ABC breakfast show to spend more time with her young family – but radio insiders remain convinced she will make a blockbuster move to rival station Mix. So far she has yet to confirm her radio future.

This morning, Clarke’s ABC colleague Spence Denny said she had been an important part of the station, but to suggest there was a conspiracy behind her leaving was “unfair”.

“She hasn’t let us know what her intentions are … the only person who knows is Ali, and if she’s dealing with someone else, fine, but it may just be a case she wants to spend time with family as well, because she does have three young children she’s obviously passionate about,” he said.

ABC radio breakfast presenter Ali Clarke earlier this year. Picture: Mike Burton

Mix 102.3’s Erin Phillips and Mark ‘Soda’ Soderstrom.

It’s Phillips and Soderstrom’s first full year on-air together and after a strong start, the former top-rating FM breakfast pair have lost their magic in recent surveys, falling to fourth overall in the crucial timeslot behind ABC891, FIVEaa and Triple M.

Earlier this year it was revealed Adelaide broadcasting veteran Mark Aiston was set to join Mix’s breakfast show as executive producer, days before Phillips and Soderstrom mysteriously went off-air during ratings season.

The station even sent out a press release announcing the move before hastily retracting the statement.

The last ratings survey of the year is set to drop tomorrow.