KIIS radio host announces departure live on-air

An Adelaide radio host has announced her shock departure from KIIS FM amid ongoing Kyle & Jackie O Show rumours.

Adelaide radio host Ali Clarke has announced her departure from Mix 102.3 breakfast show during this morning’s live broadcast.

In an honest on-air farewell, Clarke said she was stepping down from her co-hosting role on Max & Ali In The Morning after three years because she has to follow her heart – and unfortunately it is pulling her to explore other adventures.

“Here’s the big announcement, Mix family. This will be my last week on air with Mix 102.3 doing brekkie,” she announced on Monday morning.

Adelaide radio host Ali Clarke teased her announcement ahead of airtime on Monday morning.

“It’s really hard to say now. Probably even harder to accept 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, I love nothing more thank connecting with people and I love radio so much. And I understand the privilege it is to be invited into someone’s home or their car or their life.

“But if there’s something that I’ve also known is that 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 and if I was to stay, I wouldn’t be doing that 100 per cent fully.”

Clarke’s co-host Max Burford will continue to host the show.

When asked by co-host Max Burford to explain what she meant by “integrity”, Clarke explained that she had to be true to her values at this stage in her life.

In her announcement, Clarke also said she was leaving with the assurance that her on-air team would be safe amid rumours they would be axed due to a rumoured expansion of KIIS juggernaut The Kyle & Jackie O Show taking over the timeslot.

“One of the biggest fears I had in making this decision is that I was terrified it would mean the end of local radio for Mix with all of the narrative that’s been going around about the Kyle & Jackie O Show,” Clarke continued.

“But it’s with absolute relief and just so much joy that, Max, you’re around to stay, and local radio is around to stay. Because I believe that there is a huge role for local people telling local stories and local jobs in our city here.”

In a separate press release, Clarke also outlined her reasons for leaving, while thanking her colleagues for their support over the years.

Rumour has it The Kyle & Jackie O Show is looking to expand in Adelaide, which would axe the Max & Ali show.

“This year has given me a new perspective so now I’m ready for the next challenge,” she said. “I’ll miss our listeners terribly and can’t thank them enough for their support of not just me, but my family. Man, I love radio and will miss this incredibly hardworking local team, but I know they’ll keep bringing the laughs and will go from strength to strength.”

Burford will continue as co-host of Mix 102.3’s breakfast show in 2025, with further details regarding the show to be announced.

In other news from KIIS HQ this morning, it was announced that NRL star Corey Oates will be joining the existing on-air duo of Robin Bailey and Kip Wightman.

The new addition to the line-up means the 97.3 FM show will now be called Robin & Kip now with Corey Oates in the morning.

Oates is already a familiar face to sports fans, having played 12 seasons for the Brisbane Broncos and featured in nine State of Origin games for his home state since 2016 before announcing his retirement in October.