Brisbane 4BC shock jock Neil Breen quits live on air

Brisbane radio shock jock Neil Breen has sensationally quit his weekday 4BC afternoon slot live on air. Listen to the audio.

Neil Breen told listeners it was time to prioritise his family after “three very tough years”. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Brisbane shock jock Neil Breen has sensationally quit his radio show live on air.

The 4BC host, who helms the station’s weekday afternoon show Brisbane Live, made the emotional announcement on Friday, telling listeners it was time to prioritise his family after “three very tough years”.

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO BELOW

Breen, a “Brisbane boy born and bred”, originally relocated back to the River City from Sydney to take over the breakfast slot when Alan Jones retired but was later shifted to afternoons when former 4KQ breakfast presenters Laurel Edwards, Gary Clare and Mark Hine joined the station.

Breen said he had been commuting between states, living in Brisbane five days a week, after encountering difficulties trying to move his wife and daughters to Queensland with him during the height of the Covid pandemic and border closures.

“It was a very tough time because of Covid and all the rules, it was very difficult to get my family here,” he said on air.

He said it had been “very difficult” and he had struggled with loneliness on the nights he was separated from his family but had “battled through” it.

“It’s taken it’s toll and I’ve told the bosses at Channel 9 I’m going to resign from 4BC radio,” he said.

“It’s very sad for me and I think it’s going to be quite upsetting for a lot of the listeners.”

“Please don’t think I take it for granted, I see your emails and I hear the phone calls and I get the texts and I know you enjoy the show.”

Breen will finish at 4BC on June 23.

Breen said he felt in his “heart of hearts” he was letting listeners down.

“ … But I’ve given you three of the best years I can possibly give to you but it’s time for me to give many, many more years than that to my family and dedication to my family and be with them seven days a week,” he said.

He paid tribute to his colleagues, calling them “some of the best people I’ve ever worked with in my life”.

“But I have made this decision as a personal decision just for my own peace of mind really,” he said,

Breen will finish at 4BC on June 23 and said he then plans to travel overseas with his family

He also hinted he could be back on airwaves at 2GB in Sydney in the future.