Revealed: Hayley Pearson set to take over from Ali Clarke as Max Burford’s Mix 102.3 co-host in 2025
She vowed never to return to radio, but after a temporary stint behind the mic reignited the fire, at last we can tell you who is set to replace Ali Clarke on Mix 102.3’s breakfast show. Here’s the exclusive first interview.
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Mix 102.3 breakfast announcer Max Burford’s new co-host Hayley Pearson comes with an added bonus – a sleep in.
Well, as much as you can in brekky radio, that is.
The two will clock on at 5.30am – for a pre-show meeting – instead of 5.15am.
It’s only an extra 15 minutes but, as Burford says, “every second counts” when you’re in a timeslot that requires you to set your alarm for what many would say is an ungodly hour.
Pearson is taking over from Ali Clarke, who farewelled Max & Ali in the Morning listeners on Friday, November 29.
She decided to step down after battling breast cancer.
When Pearson’s appointment was announced exclusively to The Advertiser, she revealed the “later” early start time had been negotiated by her.
The 43-year-old wears many hats including being the co-host of Channel 9’s HelloSA and the co-creator of Adelady – both with her business partner Lauren De Cesare – and she is also an artist.
Pearson and her husband James Worthington, who are celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary on Sunday, December 15, have two sons, Austin, 13, and Alfie, 10.
Pearson will have first billing on the revamped show.
Hayley & Max in the Morning will debut on January 20.
A former breakfast announcer for SAFM and Nova 919, Pearson filled in for Clarke for a short period, from late July.
She had not met Burford before that stint, but the two said they shared an instant on-air chemistry.
“She’s a ball of fun, such good fun,” Burford said, adding it felt as though they had “been working together for years”.
Pearson, who hadn’t worked in radio for five years, said she had always vowed never to return to the medium.
However, her temporary stint on Max and Ali in the Mornings and rapport with Burford changed her mind and when offered the gig full-time, she couldn’t turn it down.
That said, it was a “group decision”.
Pearson consulted “Jimmy and my bestie” – Worthington and De Cesare -before signing with Mix.
“I have had so much support,” Pearson said, again referring to the negotiated start time: “They have even let me set my alarm later,
“I just can’t wait to have fun in the morning.”
Pearson said there was also a certain serendipity about her new gig.
“What makes this even more special is that when I was 15, I did my Year 10 work experience
at Mix 102.3,” she said, adding: “It was at that moment that I realised I wanted to be a radio announcer, so this feels like a sweet little full-circle moment.”
Following ongoing speculation that Sydney’s Kyle and Jackie O Show might be syndicated, the announcement that Pearson is joining Mix would be welcome news to listeners who want to tune into a made-in-Adelaide show.
It is also in line with Clarke’s parting words; on her final show she spoke about the importance of local radio being “so important” to the community.
Mix parent company Australian Radio Network chief content officer Duncan Campbell said Pearson was now part of the station’s “family”.
“We know that Adelaide is going to love listening to her and Max as they keep the listeners entertained, informed and inspired.”
Hayley & Max in the Morning will be on-air from Monday, January 20, 6am to 9am.
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Originally published as Revealed: Hayley Pearson set to take over from Ali Clarke as Max Burford’s Mix 102.3 co-host in 2025
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