Triple M breakfast host Marty Sheargold says he is ‘exhausted mentally’

Triple M breakfast host and comedian Marty Sheargold has released his first public comments since disappearing off the air following an incident at a Grand Final function.

Marty Sheargold has stepped away from hosting duties at Triple M. Picture: Supplied

Radio personality Marty Sheargold has revealed he is taking an extended break to focus on his mental health.

The Triple M breakfast host of his namesake show has been on personal leave since last week, after the Herald Sun revealed there was an incident at the AFL grand final.

“I just wanted to let people know that I’ll be taking an extended break from work, with the very kind and compassionate permission of my employers, who have been generous in their understanding of my need for a break,’’ Sheargold’s statement said.

“I think it’s important for people like myself who have a public Voice to admit that I am exhausted mentally from my range of commitments across TV, radio and live shows, in an attempt to continue to remove some of the roadblocks and stigma around mental health.

“I need to set aside some time to get my work/life balance back into something that feels better than it has over the last couple of years. Thank you to everyone who has reached out, your support has been welcome and enriching. Talk soon. Marty.”

Sheargold says he is mentally exhausted. Picture: Supplied

Southern Cross Austereo chief content officer Dave Cameron said: “SCA continues to support Marty’s request for personal leave to spend time with his family, and we look forward to having Marty back on Triple M soon.”

SCA broke its silence on the situation on Tuesday.

Sheargold left his seat at the match after complaints from guests about his behaviour. The station denied he was told to go and said he “left of his own accord”.

The Herald Sun understands several corporate guests of SCA at the Grand Final were offended by some crude remarks and language.

Since then the station has apologised to a number of those guests but only publicly acknowledged the incident this week.

Sheargold continued working after the incident but last week was absent.

Anchor Troy Ellis has taken the reins along with Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann and producer Loren Barry.

The Marty Sheargold Show, which started in January 2021, rated 5.8 in the most recent survey but has been buoyed by high catch up figures.

Sheargold’s absence has been a talking point in radio circles and also at the industry ACRA Awards on Saturday night.

The popular comedy figure makes appearances on Channel 10’s Have You Been Paying Attention and is in the cast of ABC comedy Fisk.

He was also part of a sold out stand up comedy tour earlier this year with Sam Pang, Mick Molloy and Lawrence Mooney.