‘All is not well’ with the Ross and Russel show as rumours swirl of a new host waiting in the wings

The popular pairing of 3AW breakfast hosts Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft could be coming to an end as speculation grows about an heir apparent.

3AW breakfast could soon be looking for a new host. Picture: Jason Edwards

Rumours have long been swirling. Russel Howcroft is on shaky ground as co-host of 3AW’s Ross and Russ ratings juggernaut breakfast show.

Howcroft was announced as the shiny new, out of left field replacement for John “Sir Lunchalot” Burns back in 2020. “You’ll never guess who” trumpeted delighted Nine executives at their poaching of the corporate advertising guru and TV personality to co-host alongside Stevenson.

But it takes a special someone to sit alongside Ross, to sit back and let him shine.

No one knows this more so than Burnso himself. He happily played sidekick to Ross, co-hosting Australia’s most successful radio program, the breakfast show on 3AW, for almost 20 years, clocking up just shy of 150 consecutive ratings survey wins before Burns retired.

John Burns and Ross Stevenson presented the 3AW breakfast show for almost 20 years. Picture: Jason Edwards

Time may be running out for Russel Howcroft in his 3AW stint. Picture: Fiona Hamilton Photography

So who better to spill the tea, or in Sir Lunchalot’s case a good drop of red, than the man himself.

Burnso said Howcroft’s time was up, with the writing deep etched on the wall he would be replaced once his current contract expires.

And no surprises it is sports broadcaster and former professional golfer Mark Allen who is waiting in the wings.

“All is not well,” Burns said of the chemistry between Ross and Russ this week. “It won’t be lasting too much longer and Mark Allen is the heir apparent.”

Burns heaped praise on the universally liked Allen and said he was a “lovely fellow and very talented”, and had the rhythm that’s required.

“He will do very well. You have got to understand your role with Ross and I knew what my role was. And that was to basically be an adjunct to him and help him to be more of himself.”