Sea FM breakfast radio star Bianca Dye breaks silence in emotional reunion

Inside the emotional farewell as the trio behind popular Gold Coast breakfast radio show Bianca, Ben and Lakey sign off. The tears, the laughs, the memories

Gold Coast star Bianca Dye has made a final-hour appearance for an emotional farewell on the last broadcast of her popular breakfast radio show.

On Friday morning, Dye took part in a tearful reunion with fellow co-stars Ben Hannant and Danny Lakey following her week-long absence on air after shock announcements that the show would be axed for 2024.

“I couldn’t let you do your last show on your own,” Ms Dye said.

“Thank you for holding down the fort while I took – shall we call it a bit of personal leave?”

After four years on air, Ms Dye was axed from the show - sparking outcry from listeners - alongside co-host Hannant who had been hosting the show for seven years.

Lakey, who was the show’s most recent addition last year, will be the only one of the trio to remain on air next year with a new regional show and new co-hosts.

Ms Dye said the axing had left her with “mixed emotions”.

Sea FM breakfast trio Bianca Dye, Danny Lakey and Ben Hannant did their final joint show tomorrow. Picture: Peter Wallis

“Obviously this isn’t a decision I made myself, but as they say in the industry – that’s just business,” she said.

“But I just want to say thank you. It’s been an amazing four years and it’s been great fun working with you.”

“We’re a very special part of people’s worlds. And you forget that you’re part of their lives. I feel like I’m the big sister.

“And Benny and I don’t always agree with each other but that’s what makes great radio. That’s the Gold Coast, we’re all so different and that’s what makes us great.”

Ms Dye also reflected on her years of sharing not just “funny jokes and Taylor Swift songs” but also the personal insights of her own life.

She said: “I’ve shared my personal stories – sharing the messiness of life – my IVF journey, being single.”

“We’ve also done some beautiful things Benny, like when we went out to the floods. We actually go out into the community and make a difference to people’s lives.”

“I’m going to miss you Benny.”

Listeners calling in for the last time expressed their love for the two radio identities who had accompanied their daily morning commutes.

“Benno, you’re the one that drives me to work, you’re the one that makes me laugh. I wish you all the best,” one caller said.

Biance Dye, Danny Lakey and Ben Hannant. Photo: Peter Wallis

Another caller added: “I just want to wish Bianca and Ben all the best. Bianca has been the voice of many women on the Gold Coast who struggle with fertility, body image and mental health.”

Mr Hannant said it had been a pleasure to work with Ms Dye and Mr Lakey and that it had been his privilege to be part of people’s lives.

“We’ve had a lot of laughs along the way,” he said. “And we’ve done a lot of great things together.”

Speaking to his wife Emma who joined him on air, Hannant said, choking up: “Thank you for being the incredible rock that you are.”

“Now I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with you.”

While Ms Dye will be departing from Sea FM, she said this wouldn’t be the end to her broadcasting career.

“I’m a broadcaster in my blood,” she said.

“I just hope it’s somewhere I can spread my wings.”

UPDATE: Gold Coast radio star Bianca Dye has been a no show all week on her popular breakfast radio show since news broke of its axing for 2024.

But she is understood to be making a cameo to officially say goodbye to listeners on Friday as she reunites with co-hosts Ben Hannant and Danny Lakey one last time.

Lakey, who was the show’s most recent addition last year and only one of the trio to survive on air into 2024 with Southern Cross Austereo, told listeners on Thursday morning: “Tomorrow it’s going to be a big day on the show, it is the final Bianca, Ben and Lakey show.

“Benny is obviously going to do his dad jokes for the last time, so we are looking forward to that,” he said before revealing: “It wouldn’t be the final Bianca, Ben and Lakey show without a bit of Bianca Dye as well – so I believe she is going to come in after 8am for a little bit as well.”

Ben Hannant, Bianca Dye and Danny Lakey at the Sea FM boat party. Picture: Luke Marsden.

Hannant added: “Fantastic. It would be great for her to be able to say goodbye. I’m giving away a lot of money tomorrow but it’s going to be fantastic to say goodbye to everyone on the Gold Coast.

“It’s been an amazing journey, amazing ride so please come along tomorrow with us and relive the great seven years we had together and I’m excited to see what happens next.”

Lakey added: “The trio needs to get back together one last time, we are looking forward to that and hope you can tune in and say goodbye, going to be sharing a lot of memories.”

Hannant finished with: “What a ride, this has been great, let’s do it.”

EARLIER: Gold Coast breakfast radio star Ben Hannant has opened up on his shock axing, saying he intends to see out the week and is forever grateful for the opportunity he’s had.

The former NRL star has been dumped from the Sea FM breakfast show alongside fellow co-host Bianca Dye. Danny Lakey, the most recent addition to the trio last year, will survive into 2024 with a new regional show.

Hannant, on air for the past seven years and key part of the Bianca Dye, Danny Lakey and Ben Hannant show said on air on Tuesday morning: “It’s been an incredible experience I am so grateful for it.

The show aired Tuesday morning without Dye, despite her name still appearing in its title.

“It’s exciting times ahead for this station, obviously they’re going for a fresh new change, which is fantastic – I’m excited to listen,” Hannant told listeners.

“Obviously a new chapter closes in my book and a new one will open up.

The SeaFM breakfast team Bianca Dye, Danny Lakey and Ben Hannant is not more. Picture: Peter Wallis

“I’m excited – it’s not done yet Lakey, we’re gonna have as much fun until Friday but the big thing is I want everyone to know I am so appreciative for this opportunity and to be able to connect with the city I know and love.

“I was born and bred here, I started listening to Sea FM as a young kid and now I’ve had this opportunity to hold the baton for the last seven years.”

He added: “Exciting week to come, Friday will be my last day, I’m going to miss it but I’m excited to see what’s next for this great station.”

Lakey jumped in and told listeners: “Well everyone’s going to miss you as well.

“I’ve only been working with you for a year or so but you’re the community man, you’re the man who’s willing to selfishly give over and over again – whether that be on radio or outside of that so be very proud.

“The Gold Coast is going to miss you – it’s been an awesome seven years on radio,” Lakey said.

Originally published as Sea FM breakfast radio star Bianca Dye breaks silence in emotional reunion