Gold FM Melbourne hosts Jo Stanley, Lehmo axed after radio ratings win

FANS and media personalities have expressed their shock and disappointment at the axing of popular Gold FM duo Jo Stanley and Lehmo, who have been dumped a week after being named the best breakfast radio show in Melbourne.

GOLD FM breakfast hosts Jo Stanley and Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann have been axed from the network, despite their breakfast show’s recent ratings success.

ARN confirmed this morning the Jo and Lehmo Show would not be returning in 2018.

GOLD FM TOPS RADIO DIAL IN LATEST MELBOURNE RATINGS SURVEY

AXE LOOMS FOR POPULAR GOLD FM DUO

THE RADIO STATION NO-ONE IS LISTENING TO

The axing comes a week after the Jo and Lehmo show was named the #1FM Breakfast show in the Radio Ratings Survey #7.

Gold FM was also named the #1FM Station.

Jo Stanley and Lehmo. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis.

In a statement, Australian Radio Network Nation content director Duncan Campbell said Stanley and Lehmann would remain on air until the end of 2017.

“Further details of the plans for GOLD 104.3 (will) be announced shortly,” he said.

“Jo and Lehmo are professional, talented and entertaining broadcasters who have made a significant contribution to GOLD 104.3 over their time with the station.”

Stanley and Lehmann released a joint statement about the axing on Twitter this morning.

“We are disappointed as we love our audience, we love GOLD 104.3, and we love our team.”

“We have both worked hard and the show’s ratings have grown consistency, culminating in becoming Melbourne’s number 1 FM breakfast show in the latest survey.”

“We have a great friendship, have enjoyed working together over the past 2 years and will miss our listeners. Sadly, this is a crazy business and these things happen!”

Two fabulous folks finishing at number one. Yep it's a crazy business. Well done Lehmo and Jo. #actualgold

— Lawrence Mooney (@lawrencemooney) November 20, 2017

Absolutely bollocks news and I'll miss hearing both your wonderful voices on the radio. But I can't wait to see what you both do next!

— Tegan Higginbotham (@TeganMH) November 20, 2017

Crazy business is right @lehmo23
onwards 🔜and upwards🔝I’m sure... bravo 👏 https://t.co/Y4uZ3ZkoLt

— Basil Zempilas (@BasilZempilas) November 20, 2017

Fans and contemporaries have expressed their disappointment at the move on social media, with entertainer Tegan Higginbotham labelling the news “absolutely bollocks”.

3AW host Dee Dee Dunleavy, who was herself axed from Gold in 2011, said getting rid of the popular breakfast duo was a “stupid business move”.

FM Radio in 2017 is savage.
Jo Stanley and Lehmo are proof that if you work hard and get the highest ratings in the market you'll eventually be replaced with an iPod anyway.

— Dan Ilić 💨💨💨 (@danilic) November 20, 2017

Such a stupid business move. Who could have seen it coming?

Wait .....

Good luck to both of you xx

— Dee Dee Dunleavy (@DeeDeeDunleavy) November 20, 2017

How ruthless is commercial radio - last week Gold's Jo & Lehmo were No.1 FM breakfast show, today they've been dumped for 2018. Is Gold is going more down the Smooth breakfast route - less chat, more music?

— cameron adams (@cameron_adams) November 19, 2017

The pair has worked as co-hosts at Gold since 2015.

Stanley joined the station in November 2015, when she replaced radio veteran Brigitte Duclos on the Brig and Lehmo show.

Prior to her stint at Gold, Stanley worked at Fox FM with Matt Tilley, who was also recently axed from the KIIS network.

Jo and Lehmo grew 0.7 per cent in the ratings share to 8.4, making them the most listened to breakfast show in Melbourne.

The pair started with a 6.2 per cent share, but have grown with each survey

However, the show rated less than the station average of 11 and is well down on Gold’s morning and afternoon shifts of 12.7 and 14.4 respectively.