Russel Howcroft reveals what was said to him before he joined Ross Stevenson as king of breakfast
Russel Howcroft has revealed the advice he was given before joining Ross Stevenson on 3AW mornings.
Confidential
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Russel Howcroft says he was given four words of advice when he took on the job of 3AW breakfast co-host in August.
“Don’t stuff it up,’’ Howcroft recalls, adding: “The advice I received from everyone in the 3AW world and in the media world, was — don’t stuff it up, Russ.
“Which is fair enough because the breakfast show is a beautiful thing. It’s owned by everyone that show, by Melbourne and the listeners. That was the advice I received from many people.”
So far Howcroft has settled in for a dream run alongside long-time spearhead Ross Stevenson, and in place of John Burns who signed off on July 31 after almost 20 years.
Howcroft started during a pandemic and his first ratings survey showed a surge of 8.8 percentage points and the second survey on Thursday revealed a 2.3 point jump to a whopping 28.4 share.
“As another radio host said to me, get on the dancefloor with Ross and let him take the lead and relax and go for it,’’ said Howcroft, who is also a regular panellist on ABC’s The Gruen Transfer.
“It’s been a joy. It’s hard work as you would expect.
“It’s a change of life, it’s a change of rhythm and I’ve never had to be so disciplined.
“Probably not such a bad thing for a 55 year-old.
“You’ve got to keep yourself fit, mentally alert, got to be disciplined, and you have no choice, you have to get out of bed. That is new for me. But I’m pleased to report it’s actually starting to become more natural to me now and I’m very happy in that rhythm now.”
The incumbent Stevenson said he offered Howcroft no real advice when he took on the plum gig alongside him.
“I don’t think I gave him any advice, I did tell him that he would be humbled by the amount of work the team does for us,’’ Stevenson said.
“And I’m pretty sure he’s already said, ‘yep you were right’.
“I didn’t give him any advice, it’s just talking. Opening your mouth and talking away and of course the listeners are actually part of the program.
“It’s got its momentum and it’s like a fresh canvas every day. A white canvas at 5.30am and at 8.30am you’ve got a painting.”
3AW recorded its highest ratings in 60 years this week, with all key hosts posting impressive gains.
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