Triple M Newcastle’s Steve Grahame stood down amid inappropriate behaviour allegation

An award-winning local radio host has been stood down amid an investigation into his alleged inappropriate behaviour on the same night he and his co-host took home a trophy.

Newcastle breakfast host Steve Grahame has been suspended following an alleged incident at the Australian radio industry’s big awards night.

Grahame and co-host Tanya Wilks, known as Tanya and Steve on Newcastle station Triple M, had picked up Best On-Air Team (Provincial) at the annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) on the night he is accused of inappropriate behaviour.

Triple M parent company Southern Cross Austereo confirmed an investigation was underway.

“SCA is aware of and investigating an issue raised regarding Triple M Newcastle,” a statement read. “Respecting the privacy and wellbeing of our people we will not be commenting any further.”

The ACRAs were held at ICC Sydney on October 29. Individual broadcasters subsequently held after-party events at different venues with SCAs’ taking place at Pumphouse Bar & Restaurant in Darling Harbour.

Newcastle Triple M breakfast duo Tanya Wilkes and Steve Grahame took home a trophy at the recent ACRAs. Picture: Instagram

Grahame is understood to have been suspended off-air from around November 9.

He and Wilks have been on air for more than 20 years in Newcastle and the Hunter region, where they are big names as the long-running number one breakfast show.

Grahame has been off-air since early November. Picture: Instagram

Triple M Newcastle’s parent company confirmed an investigation is underway. Picture: Instagram

“With over 25 years of Number 1 rating Breakfast and Drive shows on both NXFM and now Triple M, Steve has become part of the fabric of Newcastle Radio,” Grahame’s bio on the SCA website reads.

“Known for his NO B.S approach on all subjects he has a knack of getting to the core of what’s going on but always with a cheeky smile to remind us all not to take life too seriously.

“The one thing he has built over his years on air is trust with his audience, always ready to laugh at himself before anyone else, Steve often jokes he has been on Newcastle radio so long he is ‘Heritage Listed’ and needs to put in request forms to the council before renovating (botox).”

“If the object(ive) of any radio host is to be heard as a trusted friend (then) Steve has achieved that in bucket loads.

“Now joined with Tanya Wilks, another Newcastle radio powerhouse, he believes the best is yet to come.”