Breakfast host Sammy J quits in ABC Melbourne shake up

ABC Melbourne Breakfast host Sammy J is walking away from the microphone after five years in the early-morning hosting seat.

ABC Melbourne Breakfast host Sammy J has announced his departure from the program after five years behind the microphone.

The comedian and songwriter, real name Samuel Jonathan McMillan, wrote a tune in typical style, in which he said it was time to turn his alarm off and “to return to the life I once knew”.

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

“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.”

Sammy J and with his puppet Randy in his days as a comic.

Sammy J began hosting breakfast just weeks before the Covid pandemic hit in 2020.

In the most recent radio ratings survey, his share of the Melbourne radio breakfast market shrunk to 7 per cent.

The show enjoyed a market share peak of 14.9 per cent shortly after he stepped into the host’s seat.

It’s being widely expected that Channel 7 political reporter Sharnelle Vella, who has quit the network, will take over the microphone. She officially finishes up this Friday.

Former Channel 7 reporter Sharnelle Vella is being tipped to replace Sammy J.

A prolific songwriter, Sammy J wrote viral songs to farewell Melbourne’s e-scooters, the Airport Rail Link, Premier Dan Andrews and Captain Cook’s feet, and admitted he loathed sport.

“Sammy has asked the questions we never knew we wanted answered,” said ABC Radio Melbourne acting manager Shelley Hadfield.

“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.”

Sammy J will present his final breakfast program on Friday, December 13.

The station said announcements for 2025 would be made in the coming week.