Breakfast presenter for ARN’s 97.3FM in Brisbane, Terry Hansen, has announced he is leaving the show and the station for family and health reasons.
He made the announcement this morning on the Bianca, Terry & Bob show, which was also streamed on Facebook Live. “I am pulling the plug because of my health,” Hansen said. “The news pretty fresh in the building.”
Hansen has been with 97.3FM breakfast since 2004.
“Increasingly over the last three or four years, once the job is done each day, I have suffered from constant and debilitating fatigue.”
“My family have been adamant that they want me well first and foremost, and had seen me like this for too long.
“Therefore, a little while ago, I approached 97.3FM management and asked to be released from my contract and leave radio. They were immediately supportive, offering reduced hours and anything that might help me stay if I wanted to. But I can’t half do anything. It would not be fair to Bianca [Dye] and Bob [Gallagher] and the new energy that has come into this show.
Dye joined the program 18 months ago, after Robin Bailey’s sudden exit from the station.
SEE MORE: Bianca Dye’s radio odyssey
“It is a very draining gig,” Dye said. “It’s a first world problem and we love what we do, but it does take its toll.”
There was no date announced about Hansen’s last day on air. He said he will be leaving “fairly soon”.
“I’m going to enjoy it for a little while longer while we look for someone new for Bianca to torment.”
To the listeners, Hansen said: “97.3FM Brisbane audience is the best audience in Australia. It is because of your willingness to share your loves, frustrations, dreams and passion to build the sort of lives for ourselves and our families that other cities can no longer squeeze out of their hustle and bustle.”
Long time listeners of the show responded immediately to the news, with many calling in this morning to express their sorrow and show their support for Hansen’s decision.
97.3FM content director Barry Drinkwater said: “All at 97.3FM are saddened that Terry will be leaving the breakfast show, however, we fully support him to spend more time on his health and family.
“Terry has been an integral part of Brisbane, helping to wake up audiences across the city on 97.3FM since 2004. There are so many great achievements for Terry, the breakfast team, and the station over the years, not least most recently with Bianca and Bob.
“We will have an exciting announcement in the coming weeks regarding Terry’s replacement to join Bianca and Bob, and we’ll be focusing over the next month on celebrating his fabulous contribution of the last 14 years.”