Tom Elliott to replace Neil Mitchell on 3AW Mornings

Tom Elliott will attempt mission impossible when he steps into the 3AW Mornings role – getting the Premier to call off his six-year boycott of the show.

Neil Mitchell will retire in December. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Tom Elliott is going to attempt mission impossible – getting Premier Daniel Andrews to be a guest on 3AW Mornings.

Andrews has not appeared on the top-rating program since 2017.

“I’m going to try!” Elliott said of getting the Premier on the program.

Mitchell has rubbished various reasons for Mr Andrews’ ban.

“I’m not worth the risk, that’s what it is. It’s that simple. Political judgement,’’ he said.

Mitchell bumped into the Premier at a Melbourne v Geelong match in 2018 and said they shook hands, “though (Mr Andrews) looked the other way”.

Tom Elliott will take over from Neil Mitchell as host of the Mornings program. Picture: Jay Town

Elliott has also vowed to be his “own man” when he takes on the all-important Mornings role from mid-January.

“I’m a different person to Neil,’’ he said.

“Anybody who listens to me on Drive knows I do a different type of show. It’ll be the same – breaking news, opinion, news, interviews … it’ll be my show. I’m not going to do Neil’s show as Tom, it’s going to be Tom’s show.”

Elliott’s move to Mornings is part of the biggest change to the Melbourne radio landscape in decades.

The official announcement that he would be taking over from veteran broadcaster Neil Mitchell comes after the Herald Sun last month revealed that a massive shake-up was on the cards.

Mitchell told listeners on Friday morning “it’s time to go” after being at the helm of the Mornings program for 34 years.

He will step aside in early December, with Elliott to move into the role from mid-January.

3AW’s new (iconic) 2023 line up pic.twitter.com/SNQOlrrIke

— Emilia Fuller (@EmiliaFuller_) September 3, 2023

Jacqui Felgate will step into Elliott’s vacated Drive seat, while Tony Moclair will host the Afternoons program, which has suffered a ratings blow in the wake of Dee Dee Dunleavy being dumped.

Elliott, who began his radio career on 3RR in 1993, has hosted the Drive program for the past 10 years.

He told the Herald Sun it was “the opportunity of a lifetime”.

“Clearly, Neil’s shoes are massive ones (to fill) and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“It was always up to Neil when he wanted to go. Neil himself until recently hadn’t made up his mind and he’s not stepping down completely, he’s doing his podcast and other things. He only made the decision recently.

“I started on that show as a segment presenter over 20 years ago and I didn’t think I’d end up hosting it.

“It sort of hasn’t sunk in yet.”

He said it was “an honour” to follow in Neil’s footsteps.

“Ever since I started at the station in 2002, Neil has been the gold standard for how to host this iconic talkback show,” he said.

“I have always looked up to Neil, and cannot wait to talk with the Mornings audience in January 2024.”

Station manager Stephen Beers said Elliott was “the perfect choice to receive the baton from Neil Mitchell and build on his legacy of championing our listeners, holding politicians and business to account, and celebrating our great city of Melbourne”.

Felgate said it was “an absolute privilege” to step into the Drive chair, while Moclair said he was looking forward to broadcasting from midday, rather than midnight.

“I’m delighted to be wedged between Tom and Jacqui on the new looking and sounding 3AW,” he said.