Radio veteran Leon Byner’s replacement on FIVEaa revealed

FIVEaa has announced Leon Byner’s replacement. So is it who the rumour mill predicted?

In what has to be another of Adelaide radio’s worst kept secrets Matthew Pantelis has been announced as Leon Byner’s replacement at FIVEaa.

Last month 74-year-old veteran broadcaster Byner, who has hosted the AM talkback station’s morning program for 22 years, confirmed he would be leaving the station after his Friday, December 2 shift.

FIVEaa had decided not to renew his contract, which expires at the end of the year.

While a few names were bandied around town, sources say Pantelis was Byner’s obvious successor.

Pantelis has worked at FIVEaa for 26 years, during which time he was its news director for 15 years.

Matthew Pantelis is replacing Leon Byner. Picture: Supplied

He has worked across every timeslot – including the dreaded dawn shift – and was appointed evening show presenter in early 2020. In the two years that followed he was a ratings winner, landing the No. 1 spot in that timeslot for all 15 surveys.

In 2019 Pantelis won the Brian White Award for Radio Journalism – one of the most prestigious awards in commercial radio – and was widely congratulated by listeners, fellow media and politicians.

Pantelis said he is “over the moon” about making the switch from evenings to mornings.

“It’s an honour to take the reins from the great Leon Byner who I’ve known for over a quarter of a century,” he said.

Another of the station’s stalwarts Leith Forrest is taking over evenings.

FIVEaa’s Leith Forrest with actor Emmanuelle Chriqui at Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball game in California. Picture: Supplied

“I’ve been at FIVEaa for 22 years, which is literally half of my life,” he said.

Describing FIVEaa as “like a second home”, Forrest sad he was “extremely lucky and honoured to be given the opportunity”.

“I hope people continue to tune in for companionship, conversation, to catch up, or to help them get to sleep,” he said.