By Broede Carmody
ABC broadcaster Red Symons has announced he is hanging up his headphones, after he was sacked from his breakfast show.
The former Skyhooks guitarist made the shock announcement on his ABC breakfast show on Friday morning. He has been in the role for close to 15 years.
"This will be my last year," he said. "Why am I going? They haven't said, and I haven't asked."
Symons was forced from the coveted breakfast slot, but was offered other roles. He declined.
ABC radio host Red Symons.
ABC Radio Melbourne station manager Warwick Tiernan said in a statement he was sad to see Red go.
"There is no one like Red Symons," he said. "His unique take on the world and his endless curiosity about the world around him has kept audiences tuning in for 15 years.
"Without doubt, he will be hugely missed both on-air by his legion of fans and off-air by all his ABC colleagues. We wish him the very best for the future."
During the hasty farewell, Red said he wasn't going to retire altogether.
"I've spent five years in a band, and 10 in television and 15 on the radio," he said. "Clearly whatever is next will keep me occupied for 20 years.
"I like to work. It gives life will and purpose. I have already agreed to some things and passed on others. I shall continue."
Red's final breakfast show will air on Friday, December 8. ABC Radio has said it will announce the Melbourne 2018 lineup shortly, but is remaining tight-lipped about whether listeners can expect a complete shake-up or simply a new breakfast host.
It has been a tumultuous year for the colourful ABC identity. In June, Symons was forced to make an on-air apology after asking a Radio National broadcaster if she was "yellow" and saying, "What's the deal with Asians?"
In July, it was revealed the former Hey Hey It's Saturday star was in hospital after falling and hitting his head. He took two months off air to recover from what was described as a "significant" brain injury.
Red's loyal fans expressed their shock and disappointment at the announcement on Friday morning. However, others said it was a good decision by the national broadcaster, accusing Symons of being a "lazy" broadcaster.