Tim Webster appointed fill-in ABC Sydney afternoons host, replacing James Valentine

The public broadcaster has revealed its replacement for radio host James Valentine, who is battling cancer.

Veteran broadcaster Tim Webster will fill in as presenter of the ABC Sydney radio afternoons program while regular host James Valentine undergoes treatment for cancer.

Webster, 72, a former Channel 10 newsreader, has extensive radio experience and has been a presenter on the ABC’s national overnights program since last year.

Webster hosted his first shift in the afternoons timeslot on Friday, the day after Valentine revealed he is facing a battle with oesophageal cancer and will be off air for the next three months.

ABC Sydney afternoons radio host James Valentine is battling cancer.

Webster has worked on numerous radio stations throughout his career. He started at 2BS Bathurst as a disc jockey in 1973 before stints at Sydney’s 2SM, 2MMMF and 2DAY FM until the late 1980s.

Webster also helmed numerous TV programs including Good Morning Australia, which he co-anchored with Kerri-Anne Kennerly in the 80s and 90s, and later presented Eyewitness News — first with Katrina Lee and then Ann Sanders.

Valentine penned an article on the ABC website on Thursday in which he revealed details of his struggle with cancer.

He said he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in December and has undergone chemotherapy and radiation since then — while still hosting the afternoons show — but he will now take three months off as he undergoes further treatment.

Webster has a tough challenge to help lift the program’s ratings — it came eighth in its slot in the latest official ratings by GfK, recording an audience share of 3.5 per cent, down 1.7 percentage points from the previous poll.

ABC Sydney has been dogged by controversy since the sacking of Antoinette Lattouf after just three shifts into her five-day stint as fill-in mornings host due to her social media conduct relating to the Israel-Hamas war.

The matter remains before the Fair Work Commission.