James Valentine to replace Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck on ABC Sydney Breakfast

Former Publisher
ABC Radio

ABC Radio Sydney has announced its on-air lineup for 2022, with Afternoons presenter James Valentine confirmed to take over from Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck.

Harmer and Buck revealed on Tuesday that they would depart Aunty’s station at year’s end, with Valentine officially in the Breakfast shift from Monday, December 13.

In further lineup changes, Focus host Cassiue McCullagh has had her show extended by one hour and regular fill-in presenter Josh Szeps has landed a permanent gig, moving into Afternoons.

Valentine joined Harmer and Buck on-air this morning to announce the changes and said he is “beyond excited” to wake up with Sydney.

“When I first worked at the station in the mid-90s, it was Clive Robertson, then Phil Clarke, with Andrew Olle on afterwards,” he said. “Angela Catterns, Adam Spencer, Wendy and Robbie – that’s a legacy to build on and I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity.

“I’ve loved presenting Afternoons over the past 20 plus years and I know I’m going to love doing Breakfast. It’s a completely different time of the day, so it will be completely different radio.

“I can’t wait to have a shot at talking with Sydney at the start of each day.”

Harmer and Buck have achieved some impressive milestones in the ratings in recent years, overtaking KIIS’ The Kyle & Jackie O Show in 2020 to be placed #2, behind only Alan Jones.

In the latest radio ratings, Harmer and Buck were up 1.7 percentage points to a 15.7% share.

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Evan Parsons
8 Oct 2021 - 3:47 pm

Not a fan of Valentine. I find his afternoon program on ABC Sydney to be pretentious nonsense most of the time. Josh Zepps would have been a better choice for breakfast, in my opinion!
Actually the ABC in Sydney hasn’t done much really to build up a reserve of younger talent and broadcasters to take over when the current lot retire, starting of course with Robbie and Wendy at the end of the year. Richard Glover has been there forever, it seems like.

KEV
11 Oct 2021 - 10:41 am

James Valentine is the only reason I listen to ABC, he has a great tone and way about him. Providing he can hit a bit harder with one or two strong lines of questioning, especially around politics. He will do really well.

Brad.
18 Oct 2021 - 5:00 pm

Fantastic news…Sydney Breakfast Radio has been so boring the last few years. It will be great to hear James in the morning.

Kerrie Moran
10 Dec 2021 - 9:17 pm

Loveeeeee James he tickles my funny bone everyday but will miss Wendy and wish her the best

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