Jase & PJ: Lauren Phillips will replace Polly ‘PJ’ Harding on KIIS FM Melbourne

Polly ‘PJ’ Harding’s substitute on KIIS 101.1 Melbourne breakfast present Jase & PJ has been revealed.

Weekend At this time presenter Lauren Phillips was provided the job this week, a well-placed supply informed Day by day Mail Australia.

Lauren, 34, already has expertise on the airwaves as she presents Jase & PJ’s summer time fill-in present with Ryan Jon.

Transferring on: Polly ‘PJ’ Harding’s substitute on KIIS 101.1 Melbourne breakfast present Jase & PJ has been revealed

KIIS FM executives had a want record of candidates to replace PJ, all of whom are recognized radio skills.

They thought-about Kate Langbroek, who hosts the 3pm Choose-Up, and Yvie Jones, who hosted a Hit Community summer time present with Grant Denyer in 2019.

The radio community is but to announce Lauren’s new function, which doubtless will not have an effect on her commitments at Channel 9.

Stepping in: Weekend At this time presenter Lauren Phillips was provided the job this week, a well-placed supply informed Day by day Mail Australia

Trade web site Radio At this time reported on Wednesday that ‘two acquainted voices had been within the combine’ to replace PJ, naming Kate and Lauren particularly.

The job provide was apparently made to Lauren on Wednesday.

PJ’s co-host, Jason ‘Jase’ Hawkins, is believed to have already carried out take a look at recordings with Lauren in latest weeks. 

It comes after PJ broke down in tears on air on Wednesday as she informed listeners that resigning was ‘one of many hardest choices’ she’d ever made.

PJ is returning to her native New Zealand after a ‘difficult’ yr which noticed her ‘priorities change’ after getting engaged. 

Resigning: It comes after PJ broke down in tears on air on Wednesday as she informed listeners that resigning was ‘one of many hardest choices’ she’d ever made

She will be ending up in June. Her co-host for the previous six years, Jason Hawkins, shouldn’t be leaving this system.

Staying: PJ’s co-host for the previous six years, Jason Hawkins (pictured), shouldn’t be leaving the present

Stepping in? KIIS has but to announce PJ’s substitute, however it’s rumoured the community might rent former AFL star Dane Swan (pictured), who’s already a daily contributor to the present 

PJ defined that being separated from her household and fiancé in New Zealand throughout the Covid-19 pandemic final yr had taken a toll. 

She acquired engaged in December to her long-term companion, recognized solely as ‘Beej’, however hasn’t been residing with him as a result of she works in Melbourne.

Along with the strain of a long-distance relationship, she misplaced her father in 2019.

‘It is not been a simple choice to make however I do know for me it is the fitting one and will kickstart a model new chapter,’ she mentioned.

‘I will miss Jase and the entire workforce a lot, however relaxation assured we will undoubtedly keep involved as Jase is adamant to be my head bridesmaid.’ 

Teamwork: The Jase and PJ partnership started six-and-a-half years in the past once they joined forces to host a drive present in New Zealand

Jason revealed it had been distressing watching PJ wrestle behind the scenes during the last 12 months, saying she would typically be in tears throughout advert breaks.

‘There have been mornings the place we might be in an advert break and also you’re in tears and also you checked out me like, “I am solely staying right here for the time being for you,'” he mentioned. 

PJ agreed she was reluctant to resign as a result of she felt like she’d be letting Jason down, however in the end she needed to focus on her personal happiness. 

Her exit comes after a string of employees departures on the Jase & PJ present. 

Kiwi imports: They moved to Australia in late 2017 to host KIIS 101.1’s breakfast slot, changing axed duo Matt Tilley and Meshel Laurie 

Imaging producers Toni Lodge and Jaxson McLennan give up this month, senior content material producer Rami Mustafa left final yr, and former government producer Alex Perigo moved again to New Zealand in February.

The Jase and PJ partnership started six-and-a-half years in the past once they joined forces to host a drive present in New Zealand.

They moved to Australia in late 2017 to host KIIS 101.1’s breakfast slot, changing axed duo Matt Tilley and Meshel Laurie. 

Engagement: PJ defined that being separated from her household and fiancé (left) in New Zealand throughout the Covid-19 pandemic final yr had taken a toll 

Regardless of being a powerful program, Jase & PJ has been unable to completely break into the aggressive Melbourne breakfast market.

Duncan Campbell, the content material boss of Australian Radio Community, mentioned in November he was pissed off with the present’s scores.

‘Only a few individuals criticise Jase & PJ and the content material they do. And but it simply can not seem to get the traction we wish,’ Mr Campbell informed Radio At this time.

‘And each time we predict we’re getting indicators that “Sure, we will get some traction right here and a few momentum”, then it does not ship.’

Jase & PJ’s greatest end result got here in survey 5 final yr, when it jumped to a 7.2 per cent viewers share. Nevertheless, this fell to 4.4 per cent by the tip of 2020.