Neil Mitchell returns to the studio after his most challenging year

After returning to the studio for the first time in 311 days, the 3AW host has revealed 2020 was his most challenging year in journalism.

Neil Mitchell has gone back to his office. Picture- Nicole Cleary

Neil Mitchell is back in the studio after his most challenging work year yet.

The 3AW talkback radio king returned on Monday for the first time in 311 days.

“I don’t think I’ve ever worked as hard, it was the hardest year I’ve ever had in journalism,’’ Mitchell told the Herald Sun.

“I was getting a salary, working comfortably from home with minimal risk and lots of engagement.

“Without question (it was challenging) because it was uncertain.

“Underlying it all you had this edge of danger. It was a story that touched everybody. Some of the stories I’ve covered, not everyone was fascinated by it. Most people were, but not everyone. September 11 attacks, Bali attacks, West Gate Bridge, dismissals, this was an issue that touches everybody’s lives.”

Mitchell, who has been on air for more than 30 years, expects we will face tough times for a while longer, but he is remaining positive.

Neil Mitchell at his home during lockdown. Picture- Nicole Cleary

“Last time I was here I was arguing why the Grand Prix shouldn’t go ahead and today I was arguing why the Australian Open shouldn’t go ahead,’’ he said.

“There are reasons for optimism. We don’t know the impact of the vaccine but hope that will be positive, and the fact we’ve learned a lot of lessons like hotel quarantine and how to handle that.

“We’ve got a couple of years of uncertainty. There’s no way you could predict what’s going to happen in the next year because we’ve never been here before.

“I hope we get footy back, there’s certainly going to be other issues around but because the virus touches so many lives it’s going to be a big story.

“We’ve got these extraordinary ratings but we’ll welcome it when they go down because it might be a sign we’re getting on top of the virus.”

Mitchell said he had been playing with his asthma medication and his voice was under control after noticing a change around September last year.