KIIS of approval as Bachelor queens Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley hit the airwaves

Two of the country’s most popular podcasters have been parachuted in to reboot KIIS FM, with the former Bachelor stars calling it a “no-brainer”.

Exclusive: Two of the country’s most popular podcasters — and Bachelor alumni — have been parachuted in to reboot KIIS FM’s national afternoon slot.

Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley will join Mitch Churi to take over the rebranded 3pm slot The Pick Up from veterans Kate Langbroek, Yumi Stynes and Monty Dimond, in radio’s worst-confirmed secret.

Britt Hockley will hit the airwaves in 2023. Picture: Supplied

Podcaster and radio host Laura Byrne. Picture: Supplied

The trio had reportedly been courted since the show was axed in November — and offered significant contracts with ARN.

It was only just before year’s end they decided they could add to their hectic schedules.

“It’s not like we’ve been sitting on a big secret for as long as people think,” Byrne said.

“All the speculation was before anything was even locked in. It was almost like the cat was out of the bag before we even knew.”

The show officially launches next Monday and the trio are no strangers to the KIIS Network, with Hockley and Byrne previously transforming their hugely successful podcast Life Uncut into a radio show each Saturday, with The Night Show host Churi.

Byrne won Season 5 and now has two daughters with husband Matty Johnson. Picture: Supplied

”I think that’s why it’s been a really easy transition for us and there haven’t been any nerves or worries about can we do it or how we’ll do it,” Hockley said.

“We know the three of us worked so well together in the last year with the radio shows and the live shows.

“We’re all legitimately really good friends and we know that the chemistry is there. We know we have just the best times. So it was just a no-brainer.

“We just don’t know how we’re going to make time yet.”

Brittany Hockley became a fan favourite in Nick Cummins’ scandalous season. Picture: Channel 10

Churi is looking forward to having other people to bounce off in the studio.

“This is my ninth year in commercial radio and I do it all alone other than say Sam Smith or Miley Cyrus and that’s just a Zoom call for 10 minutes,” he said.

“Excited as I am to be launching this new show with two of my favourite people ever, there is a small part of me that is doing it just to get closer to (Laura’s husband) Matty J (Matty Johnson, who she met on the Bachelor),” he added with a smile.

Radio talent Mitch Churi will round out the trio. Picture: Supplied

Churi will also continue to host The Night Show – for which he was awarded best presenter at the 2022 ACRAs – and his podcast, Is It Just Me?

Hockley and Byrne have become two of Australia’s most recognisable media personalities since their time on The Bachelor. Their podcast Life Uncut has won the Listeners’ Choice Awards for two years in a row at The Australian Podcast Awards.

The Pick Up with Britt, Laura & Mitch, 3pm, from Monday, January 30.