ARN delays announcement on Jase Hawkins’ new co-host for KIIS Melbourne Breakfast

The Australian Radio Network (ARN) won’t yet reveal who will be replacing Polly ‘PJ’ Harding on KIIS Melbourne Breakfast, despite a commitment to do so before the end of the month.

The shift in the timeline is due to a personal issue facing co-host Jase Hawkins, ARN said.

Hawkins’ father is battling cancer as a result of exposure to asbestos and has been moved into palliative care.

In recent weeks, Hawkins opened up on his radio show about the various border and lockdown struggles facing his family as they attempted to reach his dad to spend quality time with him and say goodbye.

“I would say we’re about to do the most important trip of my life. We’ve spoken about it on the show many times, my dad isn’t doing well. He got cancer through asbestos ‘cause he was a tradie back in the day. He’s done three rounds of chemo, and only last week we found out that it hasn’t been working, and he’s now going into palliative care… I’m pissed off and I want to talk about it,” he said a few weeks ago on air.

He also said his co-host, Harding, had been an excellent support.

“You’ve been great, by the way, you’ve been amazing,” he said.

Harding had been set to finish prior to the survey break and her replacement revealed before the end of the month.

ARN’s chief content officer, Duncan Campbell, has repeatedly flagged the announcement is imminent and said he’s excited about the potential for the new show.

The broadcaster has remained tight-lipped, however, on who the replacement will be.

And now, with Hawkins’ situation, ARN revealed to Radio Today it has revised the timeline.

“The announcement of the new co-host joining Jase Hawkins in Melbourne has been delayed while Jase and his family spend time with his family in Queensland. As Jase & PJ in the Morning listeners know, Jase’s father is very unwell. ARN look forward to revealing who will be joining Jase at KIIS 101.1 very soon,” a spokesperson told Radio Today.