ABC Melbourne replaces Red Symons with familiar duo

After announcing his departure last week, ABC Radio is trying something fresh in Melbourne with Red Symons’ replacement in the breakfast slot on 774.

It’s revealed comedian Sami Shah and broadcaster Jacinta Parsons will co-host the show in the New Year. The pair filled in for Symons as he recovered from a head injury suffered in a fall back in August.

Shah migrated to Australia from Pakistan in 2012, while Parsons began her career at 3RRR before debuting at the ABC in 2015.

Director of ABC Radio Michael Mason says a move to a co-hosted breakfast show follows a successful trial in Adelaide and will be rolled out in other capital cities – including the Sydney and Brisbane shows announced yesterday.

Quills winner Jon Faine will keep his morning show, but as part of a wider change to programming, Raf Epstein’s drive show will be 30 minutes shorter and start an hour later.