Joel Dry’s rise sparks move to install Jessica Millward on 4BC mornings

Fresh off her husband’s promotion to Nine News Queensland’s anchor desk, Europe correspondent Jess Millward is now poised to step into one of Brisbane’s most coveted hosting roles.

Jess Millward is poised to step into a coveted role at a Nine radio station.

A major reshuffle could be on the cards at Brisbane’s 4BC, with speculation mounting that Nine Network Europe correspondent Jessica Millward is being lined up to take over one of the station’s most prominent timeslots.

Millward, who has been based in London since early 2024, is understood to be cutting short her overseas assignment, originally due to run until the end of the year, following the appointment of her husband Joel Dry as Nine News Queensland’s new weeknight anchor alongside Melissa Downes.

Jess Millward is currently based in London as Nine's Europe correspondent. Photo: Instagram.

While she has not publicly confirmed her plans, multiple internal sources have indicated Nine, which owns 4BC, intends to offer Millward a position upon her return, with strong consideration being given to placing her in the radio station’s 9am – 12pm weekday morning shift currently hosted by Bill McDonald.

McDonald, a veteran broadcaster and former TV newsreader, took over the morning slot in late 2023 following Ray Hadley’s departure.

But his numbers have been slipping since his tenure began, according to GfK radio ratings data, with the most recent surveys showing his market share drop to just 5.1 per cent, the lowest in recent memory.

“They need a circuit-breaker,” one source said.

“Jess has the credibility, the experience and she’s well-liked.”

Another added: “Everyone at 4BC loves her.”

4BC's Bill McDonald. Photo: Supplied.

Millward is already familiar to the station’s audience, having previously filled in for afternoon host Sofie Formica, another presenter reportedly under review amid a broader talent shake-up.

Formica, who has hosted the 12pm – 3pm slot since 2021, recorded her lowest-ever share of 3.9 per cent earlier this year, before lifting slightly to 4.7 per cent in the latest survey.

The fluctuations have prompted speculation that 4BC may be quietly planning a generational refresh across its daytime line-up.

4BC's Sofie Formica. Photo: Supplied.

Meanwhile, listeners have also noticed the dwindling presence of Olympia Kwitowski, whose Weekend Breakfast program was recently replaced by Step Outside with Paul Burt.

While Kwitowski was initially expected to remain in a traffic role, she has been heard far less frequently since the change, a sign, some suggest, that 4BC is not shying away from bold programming decisions.

For Nine, bringing Millward back into the local spotlight could also serve a broader strategic purpose.

“It’s about optics. Jess and Joel are a formidable brand, and after fast-tracking Joel into the role, giving Jess a platform would help balance the narrative,” a source said.

The speculation comes just days after Nine announced Dry would co-anchor the 6pm bulletin with Downes, replacing long-time presenter Andrew “Lofty” Lofthouse.

Joel Dry and Jess Millward. Photo: Instagram.

Dry’s appointment, leaked to media outlets 24 hours before Nine’s own official announcement on Friday, surprised many in the newsroom, particularly as he had left the network in 2018 and had been with rival network Seven since then.

The decision also drew criticism from viewers, some of whom questioned whether Downes — who had been presenting solo since January — needed a co-anchor at all.

“Melissa Downes does a good job reading the news on her own. Why change it?” one Facebook user asked.

Another wrote: “I was hoping for Josh Bavas. He’s so good.”

Others were more blunt: “You may regret the appointment.”

Nine News Queensland's new 6pm bulletin anchor Joel Dry.

The appointment reportedly sparked internal tensions as well.

It is understood that employees at the Mount Coot-Tha newsroom learned of Dry’s promotion during a video call with Nine Queensland news boss Brendan Hockings, who is currently in Sydney covering the federal election.

The decision left many blindsided.

Many staff reportedly felt betrayed that the role didn’t go to one of their own, with one insider saying: “We’re all just sad for Josh Bavas and Paul Taylor, either of them would’ve been great. They’ve worked so hard for this place.”

Despite the speculation, 4BC management has not confirmed any forthcoming changes to its presenter line-up.

But with several key contracts expiring and pressure mounting to reverse the station’s ratings slide, insiders believe it’s only a matter of time before Millward steps into a major local role.

“It would be foolish to think Jess is coming back to a junior reporting job,” one insider said. “Whatever’s happening behind the scenes, something’s clearly being teed up.”

Originally published as Joel Dry’s rise sparks move to install Jessica Millward on 4BC mornings