Comeback queen Brigitte Duclos emerges as ABC radio’s afternoon host

Brigitte Duclos says she’s following her “heart and soul” with a full-time return to radio after a nine-year break as host of ABC Melbourne’s afternoon show, saying she will feel like she’s “at home again”.

Brigitte Duclos will host ABC Melbourne radio’s afternoon shift in 2025. Picture: Tony Gough

Brigitte Duclos is radio’s comeback queen.

After a stellar career as part of some of Melbourne radio’s most iconic on air teams in ‘90s and mid noughties, Duclos thought her radio days were over when the axe fell on her role as host of Gold FM’s breakfast show in late 2015.

But after forging a new career as a counsellor, Duclos is returning to the airwaves in 2025 as the host of ABC Melbourne’s afternoon show.

“I still can’t believe it,” Duclos said.

“I really did (think her radio career was finished).

Brigitte Duclos will host the afternoon shift on ABC Melbourne radio in 2025. Picture: Supplied

“I did a couple of fill-ins on Triple M, which was a bit of fun, but I really did think that was it.

“It was not until I started filling in for Matt Preston on Saturdays on the ABC that I realised how much I missed it.

“I am loving doing the counselling and I am still going to continue with that, but I just realised it (radio) has been my heart and soul for so long.

“Whenever I get behind that mic I feel like I am at home again.

“I turn 60 in a couple of weeks and I just think ‘isn’t it wonderful’.

Triple M’s Grill Team (from left) Dermott Brereton, Brigitte Duclos and Eddie McGuire in the late 1990s. Picture: Supplied

“I hate to think that women are done and dusted just because they are getting older and this is a really good example, and full credit to the ABC, where they value women with life experience and what they have to offer.”

Duclos started her media career in the sports department at Channel 10 in 1986 before moving into general news. In 1992 she also started reading news on Richard Stubbs’ Triple M breakfast show.

“Eventually I gave up the TV because I thought this radio is so much better for me,” Duclos said.

After four years on Stubbs’ show she joined Triple M’s The Grill Team with Eddie McGuire and Dermott Brereton. Next came The Cage on Triple M with Peter Berner, James Brayshaw, Matt Parkinson and Mike Fitzpatrick before Duclos moved to MIX FM (now KIIS) in 2008 to host breakfast with Tom Gleeson and George McEnroe.

Triple M’s The Cage crew: Tim Smith, James Brayshaw, Mike Fitzpatrick, Brigitte Duclos and Peter Berner. Picture: Supplied

In 2010 she and Anthony ”Lehmo” Lehmann hosted MIX breakfast before they moved across the dial to host the Gold FM breakfast shift from 2012 to the end of 2015.

While she has endless experience in radio, Duclos said the ABC presented a new challenge.

“I love the talkback, that is the thing I love the most, talking to people and hearing everything they have got to say,” she said.

Georgina McEncroe, Brigitte Duclos and Tom Gleeson during their MIX FM days. Picture: Supplied

Brigitte Duclos and Lehmo during their Gold FM days. Picture: Supplied

“It is also funny, but I have never really worked on my own before.

“I have always been in a team, so suddenly I am on my own with no ads or music. I am really, really enjoying it.”

Duclos will host ABC afternoons from January.