Weekend Today weather presenter Lauren Phillips set to replace Polly ‘PJ’ Harding after radio host announced her resignation from KIIS’s Melbourne breakfast show
Polly ‘PJ’ Harding broke down as she announced on air that she resigned from her co-hosting role on KIIS 101.1 Melbourne’s breakfast show with Jase Hawkins.
And it seems Channel Nine’s Weekend Today weather presenter Lauren Phillips is set to take over the coveted radio gig, Mediaweek reported on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old recently proved herself to be the perfect candidate for the radio gig, having co-hosted KIIS’s Summer Breakfast with Ryan Jon.
Taking over breakfast? Weekend Today weather presenter Lauren Phillips is set to replace Polly ‘PJ’ Harding after radio host announced her resignation from KIIS’s Melbourne breakfast show
The publication reported that there was ‘no announcement yet of a replacement’ for PJ’s role, but noted that there was also another candidate for the role.
3pm Pick Up host Kate Langbroek was also mentioned as a potential contender for the breakfast radio job.
Radio Today also that ‘two familiar voices’, Lauren and Kate, were ‘in the mix’.
Tried and tested: The 34-year-old recently proved herself to be the perfect candidate for the radio gig, having co-hosted KIIS’s Summer Breakfast with Ryan Jon
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Lauren and Kate’s respective management teams for comment.
Earlier on Wednesday, PJ broke down as she told listeners she resigned from her co-hosting KIIS 101.1 Melbourne breakfast show, Jase & PJ.
She explained that it was ‘one of the hardest decisions’ she’d ever made.
Also in the running: 3pm Pick Up host Kate Langbroek was also mentioned as a potential contender for the breakfast radio job
PJ is returning to her native New Zealand after a ‘challenging’ year which saw her ‘priorities change’ after getting engaged to her longtime, known only as ‘Beej’.
She will be finishing up in June. Her co-host for the past six years, Jason Hawkins, is not leaving the program.
PJ explained that being separated from her family and fiancé in New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic last year had taken a toll.
Leaving: Earlier on Wednesday, PJ broke down as she told listeners she resigned from her co-hosting KIIS 101.1 Melbourne breakfast show, Jase & PJ. She explained that it was ‘one of the hardest decisions’ she’d ever made after a ‘challenging’ year which saw her ‘priorities change’
She got engaged in December to her long-term partner, known only as ‘Beej’, but hasn’t been living with him because she works in Melbourne.
In addition to the pressure of a long-distance relationship, she lost her father in 2019.
‘It’s not been an easy decision to make but I know for me it’s the right one and will kickstart a brand new chapter,’ she said.
‘I will miss Jase and the whole team so much, but rest assured we will definitely stay in contact as Jase is adamant to be my head bridesmaid.’
Friends for life: PJ is returning to her native New Zealand. She told listeners: ‘I will miss Jase and the whole team so much, but rest assured we will definitely stay in contact as Jase is adamant to be my head bridesmaid’. Pictured is PJ and Jase
Jason revealed it had been distressing watching PJ struggle behind the scenes over the last 12 months, saying she would often be in tears during ad breaks.
‘There were mornings where we’d be in an ad break and you’re in tears and you looked at me like, “I’m only staying here at the moment for you,'” he said.
PJ agreed she was reluctant to resign because she felt like she’d be letting Jason down, but ultimately she had to focus on her own happiness.
Heartbreaking: Jason revealed it had been distressing watching PJ struggle behind the scenes over the last year. He said: ‘There were mornings where we’d be in an ad break and you’re in tears and you looked at me like, “I’m only staying here at the moment for you'”