Triple M Breakfast co-host Natarsha Belling announced this morning that she will be stepping back from her role alongside Beau Ryan and Aaron Wood after just six weeks in the role. The decision comes as she balances her television commitments with Seven News.
Belling made the announcement during today’s show saying: “As you all know, I love journalism. I always wanted to be a journalist. It’s part of my DNA. It’s where my passion is and always will be. So over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been chatting with our incredible boss here at Triple M, and he has offered me an amazing new opportunity that allows me to follow my passion for journalism.
Natarsha Belling, Beau Ryan and Aaron Wood.
“So as many of you know, I also anchor the National News at Noon on Seven, and this new afternoon gig is the perfect match. While I love breakfast radio, I’m going to have to farewell you guys, and I want to thank SCA for giving me this incredible opportunity to join the amazing team at The Briefing on LiSTNR, it’s a premium news podcast that covers and investigates the major news of the day while still allowing me to continue to fulfil my commitments on Seven.
Belling went on to talk about the current news cycle, calling it one of the most “dynamic in history”. The broadcaster went on to praise her colleagues and acknowledging listeners saying “without you we are nothing”.
Belling will remain with Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and transition into a new role as the host of LiSTNR’s The Briefing, Afternoon Edition. Her move reflects the growing emphasis on digital audio content, with LiSTNR continuing to expand its podcast and streaming offerings.
Triple M has yet to announce a replacement.
In a recent interview with Mediaweek SCA boss John Kelly, made an open bid for Jonesy and Amanda (Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller) to join Triple M. The pair currently broadcast on GOLD101.7 – which is part of the Australian Radio Network (ARN), but Kelly wants them to jump ship.
“They should be on our network, they should be at Triple M ” he told Mediaweek. “We’d love to have them,” he added.
While Kelly didn’t specify what time slot, if the pair did complete a like-for-like swap, they would end up replacing the station’s current show Triple M Breakfast with Beau, Tarsh and Woodsy.
Bellings announcement comes less than a week after the station and broadcaster Marty Sheargold mutually agreed to part ways.
The decision was made after Sheargold faced a storm of criticism for controversial on-air remarks he made about the Matildas and women’s sport.
Marty Sheargold
Sheargold made the remarks during a news bulletin on The Marty Sheargold Show off the back of a story about the Matildas’ recent defeats in the SheBelieves Cup.
In a statement, SCA’s chief content officer, Dave Cameron, said the company and Sheargold had “mutually agreed to part ways”.
He continued: “SCA takes its responsibility to listeners, shareholders, and clients seriously and its programming should align with the standards and expectations of its audience.
“Right now, it’s clear this is a moment for reflection and review. Triple M, and the wider SCA network, will continue to take all necessary steps to support staff. A new Drive show will be announced in due course. Triple M acknowledges Marty’s contribution over the past four years, and we wish him well for the future,” he said.
The statement also contained comment from Sheargold who said that “I fully understand the gravity of my comments”.
He continued: “I’d like to sincerely apologise to the Matildas and the broader organisation. I would also like to thank my immediate team for their hard work and apologise for the situation they now find themselves in.”