Jon Blake speaks out about his sudden departure from FIVEaa radio

Long-time Adelaide radio “legend” Jon Blake has opened up on his sudden shock departure from FIVEaa – and revealed what he plans to do next.

Long-time FIVEaa radio host and comedian Jon Blake has left the station, saying that he was told last Friday that his time was up.

Blake was the host of The Jon Blake Show, presented from 7pm to 8pm on weekdays on FIVEaa, as well as the voice behind satirical impersonations of the station’s presenters in a regular skit called Behind Closed Doors.

Speaking to The Advertiser, Blake said he was told he would no longer work for the station on Friday, November 17.

“I have nothing bad to say about FIVEaa at all, it’s just the nature of the business,” he said.

“I’ve been doing it 46 years or something and that’s the way it goes.”

Blake said he wasn’t told the reasons why he was being let go other than his contract wasn’t being renewed.

“It’s contract time and they decided not to renew and I don’t know why, I wasn’t really given a reason, it’s just they wanted me to go and that’s OK,” he said.

While he said he was “disappointed”, Blake praised FIVEaa station manager Craig Munn and said he has no immediate plans to return to the mic just yet.

“I’m just going to sit around and enjoy the sunshine,” he said.

“At the moment I’m taking a break for however long I take a break for.”

David Penberthy and Will Goodings announced Blake’s departure in their breakfast show on Monday morning.

“At this point in time in the program, every Monday to Friday show we’ve done for the last seven years, we’ve played a Jon Blake segment – we have some news this morning that it has been decided that Jon Blake is finishing at the station,” Will said.

SA comedian and radio presenter Jon Blake has left FIVEaa.

SA comedian radio presenter Jon Blake at his city apartment in Adelaide.

“His last day was on Friday, we have absolutely loved his contributions to our show. To say he’s a legend of this industry is a demonstration to how words can fail to appropriately recognise someone’s contribution.

“Broadly to the industry he’s been a legend, to this show he’s been a hugely important part. He’s been frankly hilarious … he’s great to work with.”

Will said as a “radio nerd” who always wanted to get into the industry, the greatest thrill of his career was producing the breakfast show when ‘Blakey’ was presenting.

“It was the greatest time of my professional life, the guy’s a legend. It’s been an absolute privilege to work with him,” he said.

Penbo said he and Will would miss Blake, along with their listeners.

“I guess all good things come to an end but it’s with a heavy heart, but yeah, what a career, what a bloke … good luck Blakey,” he said.

Blake’s departure comes just days after Stacey Lee quit ABC breakfast radio to move to FIVEaa in the new year.

Longtime ABC presenters Sonya Feldhoff and Jules Schiller were revealed as the station’s new early morning duo, starting next year.

FIVEaa confirmed Blake’s departure in a statement.

“An absolute master of his craft, we thank him for his invaluable contribution the station and wish him the best for whatever comes next,” it read.