Jane Kennedy sensationally quits popular drivetime radio show with Mick Molloy
Jane Kennedy has sensationally quit her popular drivetime show with Mick Molloy, just days before it was due to launch in 2021.
Fiona Byrne
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Jane Kennedy has made the shock decision to quit her Triple M drive show Kennedy Molloy.
With the 2021 radio year set to officially kick off on Monday, Kennedy’s surprise departure from the popular national drive program, which she has co-hosted with Mick Molloy since October 2017, was announced by Triple M today.
The show’s staff were understood to have been briefed on her decision to leave the program just after midday.
Kennedy said family reasons – specifically the need to support her children as some approach their final years of secondary school and others embarked on university study – swayed her decision to pull the pin on her weekday radio gig, just days before the show was due to launch.
“When I first accepted this amazing job I joked about leaving my kids at home to go and have a bit of fun for a couple of hours a day at work,” Kennedy said.
“The truth is doing a show like Kennedy Molloy is so much more than that. It’s a show I cared about 24/7.
“This year marks my third VCE/HSC student in a row and I think most parents will understand what that means, particularly during a COVID lockdown bubble. I tried to make both work but it’s just become too hard to keep that balance in check so I’m waving the white flag.
“Mick Molloy is the funniest person in Australia and it has been a joy and privilege to work with him. We are great friends.
“I want to thank the incredible team from KM for their dedication and talent. I love them all and I’m so sad to leave but I will listen everyday to what will continue to be the best drive show in the country.”
Kennedy, 56, is married to director, writer, producer and actor Rob Sitch, 58.
The couple has five children.
Molloy, Kennedy’s long-time friend and co-host, said his partner in radio mischief would be dearly missed.
“Jane Kennedy is the funniest, smartest, toughest chick I know. If she says she’s got too much on her plate then that’s the end of the argument,” Molloy said.
“Jane will be missed by me, our team and anyone who enjoys listening to cracking radio.
“I guess I will have to chalk this up as yet another significant relationship with a woman that didn’t last as long as I would have liked.
“Jane is irreplaceable so we will bat on without her. It will be all hands on deck from our team and the wonderful and funny friends of the show we have collected over the last three years.”
Triple M’s Group Content Director Mike Fitzpatrick said the network supported Kennedy’s decision and she would not be replaced on the show.
Kennedy Molloy will be renamed Molloy.
“The past year has created an opportunity for many of us to reassess our lifestyle priorities and I think there’s a lot of people going into 2021 with a renewed focus on what’s most important in our lives. It’s been so wonderful having Jane on Triple M, she will be missed by us all,” Fitzpatrick said.
“Triple M’s national drive home will now be hosted by Mick Molloy and the brains trust has worked overtime to come up with a new show name.
“Molloy will commence Monday afternoon at 4pm across the Triple M network.
“As for Mick punching on with his own show. He’s got more than a few runs on the board. If anyone can go out and deliver a captains knock for the drive home, it’s him.”
Kennedy had a challenging 2020 for reasons other than the COVID-19 lockdown.
In April she was hospitalised after a serious fall while attempting to mount a wildlife night vision camera in her backyard.
She slipped on wet concrete while trying to position the camera and tumbled, hitting her head on tiles, suffering amnesia and fracturing her sacrum.
She was unexpectedly absent from the show for several weeks in October.
Kennedy and her husband, Sitch are both part of the powerful Working Dog production company. Working Dog’s successes include the TV shows Frontline, The Panel, Russell Coight’s All Aussie Adventures, The Hollowmen, Utopia and Have You Been Paying Attention, along with the films The Castle, The Dish and Any Questions For Ben.
Molloy launches for 2021 on Triple M at 4pm on Monday, January 18.
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