The rise and fall of Ash Bradnam: From radio king to public battles

Veteran radio host Ash Bradnam shocked listeners by announcing his departure after two decades shaping Brisbane's airwaves. SPECIAL REPORT

Ash Bradnam has been a familiar voice on our radios for more than two decades.

In November 2025 that came to a sudden halt when the veteran announcer revealed live on air he was quitting Nova 106.9 breakfast show top-rating Ash, Luttsy and Nikki.

This is the story of the rise of the longtime host >>>

Early years

Born October 8, 1972, The Southport School alumni has been a presence in Queensland media for two decades.

Ash Bradnam in his junior days.

Bradnam in 2005.

He has a twin brother, Luke Bradnam, who works as a television weatherman, and the pair have carved notable careers across radio and TV.

Bradnam’s family life has occasionally intersected with his on‑air world, including a surprise vow‑renewal with wife Jodes in New York in 2015 that he shared with listeners.

Career start

Bradnam joined Nova 106.9 Brisbane’s inaugural breakfast team on April 4, 2005, helping shape the station’s voice from day one.

After a 2009 dismissal, he returned in 2011 alongside David ‘Luttsy’ Lutteral and Camilla Severi, marking a pivotal career reset.

Nova 106.9 FM's Kip Wightman, Ash Bradnam and David 'Luttsy' Lutteral in 2007.

Kip Wightman’s return in 2012 cemented the popular “Ash, Kip & Luttsy” era.

The show’s momentum continued as a ratings leader, later welcoming Olympic champion Susie O’Neill in 2016.

Highs and lows

On‑air success saw the breakfast program dominate Brisbane’s radio surveys, reinforcing Bradnam’s status as a fixture of local broadcasting.

Away from the studio, he ran the New York Marathon in 2014, with AFL great Jonathan “Browny” Brown briefly filling in on the mic.

Susie O’Neill, David Lutteral, Ash Bradnam and Kip Wightman with six-year-old Harvee Richards in 2019.

By early 2017, Bradnam was publicly reported as 18 months sober and launched the “Addicted” podcast, sharing his recovery journey with listeners.

Line‑up shifts followed, with Kip Wightman’s exit in 2021 and a rebrand to “Ash, Luttsy & Nikki Osborne” from January 2025 after Susie O’Neill’s departure in late 2024.

Life away from radio

Bradnam’s life off‑air centres on family, with wife Jodes and their sons – Levi, Sid and Archie – featuring in milestones he’s shared with listeners.

He’s a keen runner and fisherman, and has lent his profile to community events around Brisbane.

Ash Bradnam is a familiar face.

He has spoken openly about sobriety and recovery, including through his Addicted podcast, and engages with audiences beyond radio on those themes.

With twin brother Luke also in Queensland media, Bradnam remains a recognisable face around the city even when he’s not behind the mic.

Ash Bradnam surprised listeners when he revealed on air that he had renewed his wedding vows with his wife Jodes in New York's Central Park.

Career talking points

2009 drink‑driving and dismissal

In 2009, Bradnam was charged with drink‑driving with a reported BAC of 0.214 after driving home from his breakfast shift.

Nova dismissed him, and he entered rehabilitation.

The incident marked a turning point, with his eventual return framed around accountability and recovery.

Ashley Bradnam attending Southport Court in 2015. Picture: Mike Batterham

2015 drink‑driving and suspension

Bradnam faced a second drink‑driving charge in May 2015 after a traffic incident at Runaway Bay, with police recording a BAC over 0.15.

Nova suspended him, and management publicly expressed shock and disappointment while acknowledging his struggle with addiction.

Subsequent reporting focused on his commitment to sobriety and rebuilding trust with listeners.

2018 Prince Charles claim

Bradnam in April 2018 revealed to listeners the moment his mother told Prince Charles she wanted to marry him.

Bradnam told his co-hosts about his mother Janice Bradnam’s run in with royalty.

“So she gets an invite to go to dinner on Friday night at the Governer’s mansion ... it was ‘no partners’ and mum was like ‘I wonder why I’m getting invited to a select dinner with Prince Charles?’,” he said.

Ash Bradnam with brother Luke Bradnam, mother Jan Bradnam and sister Petta Robertson in 2009.

“It turns out everyone who was invited was turning 70 this year, my mother included, like Prince Charles ... they were told ‘stick in your area’ because when the Prince gets in he’ll make his way around the room to talk to everyone.”

2020 nightclub return

The Nova 106.9 breakfast show host in January 2020 opened up about overcoming a “big moment” surrounded by partygoers during his first visit to a nightclub in a decade.

“I haven’t been in a nightclub for over 10 years,” Bradnam told his co-hosts.

Ash Bradnam has been open about his challenges.

“I had a big moment, where … I’m looking around seeing all these people drink and I freaked out for a bit and I said ‘Jodes I’ve got to go’, and I walked outside and I just went for a walk around the block, because your mind plays tricks on you.”

He continued: “I haven’t had a drink in four years and I didn’t want to have a drink. It wasn’t about that. It was the romance, the memories of nightclubs from back in the day that just for a moment I’m thinking ‘Everyone here is having a better time than me’. I sort of fell in that victim thing.”

2023 protest battle

Bradnam, in June 2023 vented his frustrations at climate change protesters whose actions caused chaos on Brisbane’s major roads for two days running.

Speaking on-air with co-hosts David “Luttsy” Lutteral and Susie O’Neill, Bradnam conveyed his displeasure at the protesters’ tactics, labelling them as “selfish” and counter-productive.

His anger stems from the protesters’ disregard for public convenience and their presumption of their cause’s superiority.

“I just find it so selfish. Everyone has passions and beliefs,” Bradnam said.

“For someone to come out and totally ruin other people’s days for their cause, it makes me not want to support you.”

He further criticised the protesters for putting their cause above others without considering the potential disruptions in people’s lives.

2024 missed flight

Bradnam in October 2024 revealed he and his youngest son, Archie, were en route to Sydney to watch the NRL Grand Final at Accor Stadium … then realised they missed their flight.

The trip, meticulously organised by Bradnam’s wife Jodie as a Father’s Day gift, required the pair to be up early, leaving their Gold Coast home at 4.15am to catch a 6am Qantas flight.

As Bradnam and his footy-mad son made their way to the Qantas lounge for an early morning coffee and pancakes, disaster struck.

A staff member informed the father-son duo that their flight wasn’t departing from Brisbane Airport, but from Coolangatta.

“I show my ticket thing to the lady to come to the Qantas club, and she goes ‘this flight’s out of Coolangatta’,” Bradnam said.

“My heart sunk, and I said to Archie, I just turned to him straight away, and went ‘mate, we’ve missed the flight’, and the look on his face was just like, I don’t think I’ve ever felt worse,” said Bradnam, who ended up driving to the game.

Originally published as The rise and fall of Ash Bradnam: From radio king to public battles