Updated
High-profile ABC Radio Melbourne host Red Symons has announced he will not be returning to present the station's Breakfast program in 2018, telling listeners he was offered "other things" but decided to leave.
Symons made the announcement on air shortly before the end of his shift on Friday morning.
"This will be my last year doing this program on the ABC," he said.
"Why am I going? They haven't said and I haven't asked. Other things have been offered here but I think it's better to make a clean break.
"I shall miss [producers] Katrina Palmer and Ross Kavanagh, I can pretend that I'm doing this alone but I am not. They make me more interesting than I really am.
"And I shall miss you, dear listener. Thank you."
Symons's tangential interviews and dry wit have seen his show consistently rate among Melbourne's top three most-listened-to breakfast programs, including at least one period as the city's top-rating show.
Head injury forced two-month break
The announcement caps off an eventful year for Symons.
In July he lost consciousness and hit his head while walking home from the supermarket.
"It didn't leak any blood. The brain just rattled around in the skull for a little while," he later said.
He was off air for two months while he recovered and returned to the airwaves in September.
In June he apologised for an interview with ABC RN host Beverley Wang, saying it unintentionally came across as racist, which he said was "not who I am".
15 years on air
The former Skyhooks guitarist and Hey Hey It's Saturday star first presented the Breakfast shift in 2002.
"I've spent five years in a band, 10 in television and 15 on the radio. Clearly whatever is next will keep me occupied for 20 years," Symons said.
"I like to work, it gives life will and purpose. I have already agreed to some things, and passed on others — I shall continue. Thankyou."
Initially filling in for Lynne Haultain during her maternity leave, he took over the program full-time in 2003.
"There is no-one around like Red Symons," ABC Radio Melbourne manager Warwick Tiernan 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."
'He's irreplaceable'
Listeners were quick to contact the station to express their disappointment.
Red, noooooo, are you leaving! Worst news of 2017 and there's been a lot!
Red, I will miss you so much when you finish up at year's end. You have been to me a kindred companion.
Red Symons leaving? I won't have to get up so early! Sad but all the best for what comes next Red.
His colleagues and peers took to social media to wish Symons well.
Topics: radio-broadcasting, radio, abc, people, human-interest, melbourne-3000
First posted