Susie O’Neill departs Nova 106.9, major shake-ups in Brisbane breakfast radio for 2025

Two frontrunners have emerged to replace Susie O’Neill after the Olympic legend announced she was leaving Nova 106.9’s breakfast show.

Kendall Gilding and Sam Frost are the frontrunners to replace Susie O'Neill on Nova.

• ‘I went to my school formal in my mum’s dress’

Brisbane’s fiercely competitive breakfast radio scene has been rocked by the shock announcement Olympic swimming legend and Nova 106.9 presenter Susie O’Neill will step down at the end of the year.

O’Neill’s surprise departure from the Ash, Luttsy & Susie O’Neill breakfast show, revealed on Friday, has sparked a wave of speculation about who will fill the shoes of one of the city’s most popular radio personalities.

Susie O'Neill in Orleigh Park, West End on Friday, March 17, 2023. Photo: Claudia Baxter.

The sporting icon – who has been a cornerstone of the Nova Brisbane team for more than a decade – shared the emotional news on air, saying it had “saved her life” during tough times.

“A bit over 10 years ago now, when I pretty much had nothing going on in my life … I joked that it saved my life at the time, but it came at a really good time for me,” O’Neill said.

“This decision wasn’t easy. Ash and Luttsy are like brothers to me; they brought me into their world over a decade ago, and they have always been my biggest supporters.

“We have formed an incredible bond over the years, which made this decision even harder.”

O’Neill’s final show will be Thursday, November 28, and as listeners prepare to say goodbye to “Madame Butterfly”, speculation is already running wild over who will step into the coveted breakfast role, with Nova yet to announce a successor.

Nova Brisbane breakfast hosts Ash Bradnam, Susie O'Neill and David Lutteral.

One name at the top of the list is former Seven News presenter Kendall Gilding, who has stepped in for O’Neill several times this year.

Gilding’s easygoing rapport with Ash and Luttsy has earned her high praise from listeners, making her a strong contender for the role.

Kendall Gilding is rumoured to be a frontrunner to replace Susie O’Neill. Picture: Richard Walker

Another name floated is Australian media personality Sam Frost, who rose to fame on The Bachelor before transitioning to breakfast radio on 2Day FM.

Frost recently stepped in for O’Neill during a holiday, further fuelling speculation she could be next in line for the Nova gig.

The station shake-up follows significant shifts at 4BC.

The station bid farewell to long-serving breakfast hosts Laurel Edwards, Gary Clare, and Mark Hine on September 27. The trio’s departure followed the September 13 announcement that 4BC would be “taking on a new direction” after a steady decline in audience numbers.

4BC’s former weekend host, Peter Fegan has now taken the reins of the breakfast show, hosting solo until the end of the year.

B105 Brisbane hosts Stav Davidson, Abby Coleman and Matty Acton. Picture: Supplied.

While Nova searches for a new co-host, B105 remains a pillar of stability in Brisbane’s breakfast scene. The powerhouse trio of Abby Coleman, Stav Davidson, and Matt Acton announced on Friday that they had signed long-term contracts, cementing their future at B105.

With seven years on air, the Stav, Abby & Matt show has dominated the 6-9am timeslot ratings throughout 2024.

In October, the show claimed a 14 per cent market share, solidifying its status as Brisbane’s top breakfast radio program.

A possible shake-up at competitor KIIS 97.3 is also on the horizon, with speculation recently retired Brisbane Broncos player Corey Oates could become a fixture on the Robin & Kip breakfast show.