Comedian Nick Cody to join Fifi Box and Brendan Fevola’s radio show’s line-up

Fifi Box and Brendan Fevola’s radio breakfast team is welcoming a new member.

Fifi Box, Brendan Fevola and Byron Cooke. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Fox breakfast show co-host Byron Cooke says the 4am starts forced him to pull the pin on working alongside Fifi Box and Brendan Fevola.

An emotional Cooke, announcing his decision to quit the top-rating Fifi, Fev and Byron show, said: “I love being here. I’m just not one of those people, you know these guys like Eddie McGuire, that seem to be like robots, they get up at four in the morning, and do about seven jobs, they can run football clubs, and do TV shows.

“Getting up at four in the morning, I can’t do much else,” Cooke said on the radio show on Thursday.

“Maybe I’m just hopeless. To be able to do some of the things I really want to do, I can’t do this as well.

“I just don’t have the energy. I can’t do seven things at once. I’m not that guy,” Cooke said. “I’ll sleep in and do some things I want to do with my career. But this has not been easy.”

Cooke said being separated from his son, Zephyr, who lives in the US, was also “really rough.”

“I’ve made a decision to move on to other challenges,” Cooke said, fighting back tears. “I can barely speak.”

Cooke — Fifi and Fev’s co-host since 2017, and a Fox anchor for six years — will leave the show on Friday.

He will be replaced by Nick Cody.

Cody, a stand up comedian, broadcaster and actor, is moving to The Fox, and back home to Melbourne, after co-hosting Triple M’s The Big Breakfast show in Brisbane.

Box was tearful about Cooke’s announcement. “It’s hit me, too. You and I have been in a bit of denial. You are my rock, and I am distressed you are moving on.”

Fevola told Cooke: “I know you and give each other a lot of s---, but I love you, mate.”

Nick Cody is joining The Fox’s breakfast show in 2021

Meanwhile Cody, who grew up in Melbourne’s western suburbs, said: “It’s insane that they’ve let a kid from Hoppers Crossing join the breakfast show on the biggest radio station in the country. 2020 was a hectic year for Melburnians but we are on our way back to the life we love. I can’t wait to be hanging out with these champions every morning, while getting to chat

with listeners in the best city in the world.”

He added: “Fifi is an absolute legend and let’s be honest, there is only one bloke that can keep up with one of the best full forwards of all time and that is me — 1999’s Werribee Under 12’s 3rd best and fairest.”

Cody has played shows at the world’s top comedy festivals including Melbourne, Edinburgh and Montreal.

His TV credits include Have You Been Paying Attention, Talking Bout Your Generation and Hughesy We Have a Problem. He also appeared as an actor on Please Like Me.

Cody has also appeared on Conan O’Brien’s late night talk show in the US.

Box said: “I’m a huge fan of Nick. I know we’re going to have so much fun in the studio. He also has a very impressive beard.”

Fevola added: “I thought I was the funny one, but I hate to admit it, The Fox has found

someone even funnier than me.”

Fox content director, Amanda Lee, said: “In 2021, we will be focused on nothing but fun and being part of bringing our city back to life. There will be no place like The Fox in 2021 and we are excited Nick is joining us for the celebrations.

“Fifi, Fev and Nick have a comfortable chemistry, are Melbourne born and bred and are ready to wrap their arms around the city and people they love.”

Fifi, Fev and Nick will debut on January 18.

Cody joining The Fox comes amid big changes in Melbourne’s breakfast radio market.

Triple M’s Hot Breakfast hosts Eddie McGuire and Luke Darcy wll sign off for the final time on Friday after 11 years on air.