3AW’s John Burns to step down in 2020

Radio veteran John Burns to leave hit breakfast show after a 20-year partnership with Ross Stevenson.

3AW’s John Burns (left) and Ross Stevenson. Picture: Supplied.

Veteran radio broadcaster John Burns will leave step down from his breakfast program on Macquarie Media’s 3AW next year, marking an end to two decades on air with co-host Ross Stevenson.

Burns told listeners on Friday he would remain with the Melbourne-based program until the end of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics broadcast on July 31, which coincides with his 75th birthday.

"I've had 20 of the most fun and fruitful years of my life here and am looking forward to my next chapter with 3AW," Burns said on Friday morning.

His replacement will be announced in 2020.

The decision by Burns will end a 20-year on-air relationship with his co-host Stevenson and three decades in radio. A former lawyer, Burns began working with 3AW as contributor ‘Sir Lunchalot’ before joining Stevenson in breakfast.

Burns and Stevenson have held the title of Melbourne’s leading breakfast show for 144 consecutive surveys, dominating the most recent survey with a 20.6 per cent share. The result is well ahead of their nearest competitors ABC Melbourne, which had a 10.4 per cent share in the most recent survey, and Gold FM, which finished on 9.1 per cent.

3AW station manager Stephen Beers said the Ross and John breakfast show was a “Melbourne institution”.

“Next year the pair will celebrate an incredible 20th year as an on-air partnership,” Beers said. “This is a stunning achievement in any field and even more remarkable in the world of broadcast radio.

“We’re thrilled that Burnso has agreed to jump in the studio chair for one more year and we look forward to giving him a fitting send-off when the Olympics wrap up.”

Nine-owned Macquarie Media is the latest radio network to announce changes to its line-up.

On Friday morning Melbourne’s Triple M Hot Breakfast co-host Wil Anderson told listeners he would not be returning to the timeslot in the new year.

Southern Cross Media Group, which runs the Hit and Triple M networks, also axed Triple M nights show, Australia by Night as part of a major restructure of the business which is expected to generate more than $9 million in cost savings.

On Thursday rival Australian Radio Network announced Brisbane breakfast hosts Bianca Dye and Mike Van Acker would not return to the timeslot.