Adelaide radio star Ali Clarke announces she’s decided to leave Mix brekky show

It’s been a tough time for Mix 102.3’s Ali Clarke, following her breast cancer diagnosis, and now she’s made a momentous decision.

Ali Clarke has made a major call on her radio career with Mix 102.3, announcing she is stepping down from the program.

The mum-of-three, who is currently co-hosting Max & Ali in the Morning with Max Burford, announced she would be leaving during Monday’s show.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

The announcement comes a week after Clarke returned to the show after undergoing a second mastectomy as a “safety” precaution.

It is her second mastectomy since her cancer diagnosis.

“This will be my last week on air with Mix 102.3 doing brekky and it’s really hard to say now – probably even harder to accept it as well – but I was offered the opportunity to continue on and it’s really hard to say no to something like that because I love this,” the stoic Clarke told listeners Monday morning.

“I love nothing more than connecting with people and I love radio so much, and I understand the privilege it is to be invited in to someone’s home or their car or their lives.”

Ali Clarke on Mix 102.3. Picture: Supplied

Clarke has become an advocate for raising awareness of breast cancer, which affects one in seven Australian women during their lifetime and one in 556 men.

BreastScreen SA recorded its second busiest day on record the day after Clarke told her story on the airwaves.

Max & Ali in the Morning finished fifth in the breakfast timeslot in the most recent radio ratings. Triple M’s brekky show, hosted by Mark Ricciuto, Chris Dittmar and Laura O’Callaghan, was No.1. It has been in top spot for 14 consecutive surveys.

Mix 102.3 is Adelaide’s No. 1 station overall for the second survey in a row.

“This year has really brought home to me and reminded me that ultimately you have to follow your heart and you have to act with integrity,” Clarke said.

“If I was to stay, I wouldn’t be doing that 100 per cent.”

Clarke said one of her biggest fears in quitting the show was it would be the death of local radio amid rampant industry speculation about Kyle and Jackie O replacing locally produced programs.

“I was terrified it would be the end of local radio for Mix with all the narrative that’s been going around with the Kyle and Jackie O Show,” she said.

“But it’s with absolute relief … that Max you’re around to stay and local radio is around to stay because I believe there is a huge role for local people telling local stories and for local jobs – especially in radio.

“I’ve loved working with every single person in this building.”

Originally published as Adelaide radio star Ali Clarke announces she’s decided to leave Mix brekky show