New 3AW breakfast host Russel Howcroft embraces ‘one hell of a career change’
Rumours have swirled for months about who could fill the shoes of breakfast radio king John Burns at 3AW. Now a media personality is about to join Ross Stevenson at the helm of “the best radio show in town”.
Fiona Byrne
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Brand guru Russel Howcroft is preparing for life as an early bird after landing the most coveted job in Melbourne radio.
Howcroft will join Ross Stevenson as co-host of 3AW’s leviathan breakfast show, replacing John Burns.
“I have most definitely fantasised about being in that seat, that is for sure, I don’t mind saying that at all,” Howcroft said.
“I was sounded out six months ago and I said, ‘OK, I am interested’. It is the best radio show in town, probably the best radio show in the country, Ross is clearly the best talent in the country.
“Genuinely I thought, ‘well that is one hell of a career change’.”
The identity of the new 3AW breakfast co-host has been a source of intrigue in media circles for months with a veritable Melbourne Cup field of talent expressing interest in the role.
And who wouldn’t want the job? After all, the show has been unchallenged as Melbourne’s top rating breakfast program for years.
However, that brief conversation six months ago and the ensuing COVID-19 upheaval set in train Howcroft’s 3AW gamble.
He has resigned as the Chief Creative Officer of PwC and signed a long-term deal with 3AW.
“I have made a life commitment,” he said.
“Things don’t necessarily pan as you may wish but that is certainly my perspective of it.
“The stability of that seat is part of the success of the show so you have to respect that.
“It has been a fascinating few months and I have learnt a lot about how I see my life. This COVID-19 time has helped me make this decision; of that I am very certain.”
The 55-year-old Melbourne supporter has been a mate of Stevenson’s for years with the pair meeting when their children were at primary school together.
“We have a lot of mutual friends, I have been on his show quite a few times,” he said.
“I actually never discussed with Ross, ‘Gee, it would be great to be on your show.’ Just one thing led to another and here I am.
“We did an on-air segment about Love Letter To Football in early May and Ross said the next time we see each other we will have lunch.
“I thought well I hope I do get to have lunch with Ross because I thought that would mean we were going to work together.”
The pair is yet to have that promised lunch, although they caught up for a drink on Wednesday to toast their future.
Howcroft admitted to being nervous about taking over from Burns.
“I am nervous about being in the same room as the best in the business and I am very anxious, in a good way, to ensure that the listeners, the audience, are satisfied. That is the critical thing,” he said.
“Ross and I know each other well, the show will find its rhythm I am sure and I believe there will be some wonderful alchemy, but time will tell.”
Howcroft will continue to be a panellist on Gruen TV series on the ABC and will stay as Chair of the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and remain on the MCC committee.
He will start on-air on Monday, August 3, with Burns, who has co-hosted with Stevenson since 2001, signing off on July 31.
As to the name of the show, well it won’t be Ross and Russel.
“I think it has to be Russ, it can’t be Russel. Russel is a shocking name anyway,” he said.
“So we will go with Ross and Russ.”
Stevenson welcomed Howcroft to the breakfast team while paying tribute to Burns.
“(This) marks the end of an era as we begin our farewell to the incomparable John Burns,”
Stevenson said.
“He is an absolute radio legend and a bona fide legal genius, and it has been a true privilege
and an unrivalled joy to sit alongside Burnso all these years.
“I’m also looking forward to welcoming Russel to the studio. He’s a Demons supporter like Burnso, he’s bald and he enjoys the occasional long lunch … so if I just squint my eyes. ”