Sammy J to leave ABC Radio Melbourne

The radio host has been with the network since before the pandemic in what he’s described as an opportunity marked by ‘unexpected joy’.

Radio host Sammy J has announced he’ll be leaving ABC Radio Melbourne after five years.

Sammy J, who has been hosting ABC Radio Melbourne Breakfast since before the pandemic, said he leaves the program with “pride” and gratitude.

“Hosting Melbourne Breakfast was an unexpected opportunity that became an unexpected joy,” Sammy J said.

Sammy J is leaving ABC Radio Melbourne. Picture: ABC

Sammy J has been with the program since before the pandemic. Picture: Supplied.

“But radio demands all of you and deserves nothing less, and after five years I’m ready to trade the 4:15am alarm for more regular hours.

“I leave with pride, gratitude, and a litany of cash-for-comment scandals that will be revealed in due course.”

ABC Radio Melbourne Acting Manager Shelley Hadfield said Sammy J has had a huge impact on audiences.

“Sammy has asked the questions we never knew we wanted answered,” Ms Hadfield said. “He’s grilled the Prime Minister and the Premier, he broke the news to Melbourne of the Queen’s death, and he’s interviewed musicians, magicians, meatworkers and mathematicians.

“But it’s Sammy’s connection with the audience which has been a hallmark of his time at 774. “You only had to see the listeners turn up at the crack of dawn for his outside broadcasts to understand what an impact he has had on people’s lives.”

Sammy J’s last broadcast will be December 13, with more announcements about ABC Rado Melbourne’s 2025 line-up expected over the next week.

Originally published as Sammy J to leave ABC Radio Melbourne