Lauren Phillips announced as co-host of KIIS FM breakfast show

A Channel 9 star has been announced as the new co-host of the KIIS FM breakfast show in Melbourne alongside Jase Hawkins.

And the winner is …

Lauren Phillips! It was announced today that the Weekend Today weather presenter will join Jason ‘Jase’ Hawkins as co-host of Melbourne’s KIIS 101.1 breakfast show from August 9.

Phillips will fill the void left by Polly ‘PJ’ Harding who announced in March that she was quitting the radio show to return to New Zealand where her fiance lives.

PJ’s last show will be tomorrow.

Lauren Phillips is joining the KIIS FM Melbourne breakfast show.

Lauren joined PJ and Jase on air this morning for the announcement and said: “I could not be more excited about this opportunity.”

She also paid tribute to PJ, saying: “It’s certainly not lost on me how loved PJ is and how sad everyone is going to be not to hear your beautiful voice every morning. I’ve got very big shoes to fill, I know that.”

Jase urged listeners to give his new co-host a chance when she starts in August, saying: “I know what this industry can be like with social media and stuff like that … just give Lauren a chance.”

“We’re totally different people,” PJ said on air about her and Lauren. “I don’t know why people compare. You’re a totally different, unique human being and you will bring so many things to the table and I’m so excited for you guys.”

Jason ‘Jase’ Hawkins and Polly PJ’ Harding. Picture: David Geraghty/The Australian

KIIS 101.1 released a statement this morning teasing that “there will also be further announcements coming very soon on who else will be joining Jase & Lauren in the Morning”.

The KIIS 101.1 breakfast show is currently the fifth highest rating FM breakfast show in Melbourne, more than two points behind market leader Christian O’Connell on Gold 104.3.