Sami Lukis replaces Meshel Laurie on Wollongong’s Wave FM

Sami Lukis replaces Meshel Laurie on Wollongong’s Wave FM… just three months after her radio comeback

Sami Lukis has taken over from Meshel Laurie on Wollongong’s Wave FM 96.5 Breakfast Show with Straney & Damien Leith.

According to a report by radioinfo on Friday, Sami, 51, is filling in for regular host Jade Tonta while she’s on maternity leave.

Meshel, 47, was previously filling in for Jade, but she was replaced by Sami, who took over on Monday.

New gig: According to a report by radioinfo on Friday, Sami Lukis (pictured) is filling in for regular host Jade Tonta while she's on maternity leave

Changeover: Sami Lukis (right) has taken over from Meshel Laurie (left) on Wollongong’s Wave FM 96.5 Breakfast Show with Straney & Damien Leith

The comedian appeared to have parted on good terms though, with Wave FM stating they ‘can’t thank the amazing Meshel Laurie enough, who has done an incredible job hosting the show’.

Fellow radio host and former Australian Idol winner Damien Leith also paid tribute to Meshel, while welcoming Sami to the team.

‘It’s been such a thrill to work with Meshel over the past few months, we’ve shared lots of laughs and she’s taught me a great deal along the way, we even wrote a song together!’ the 45-year-old said. 

Temporary host: Meshel, 47, was previously filling in for Jade, but she was replaced by Sami, who took over on Monday

Temporary host: Meshel, 47, was previously filling in for Jade, but she was replaced by Sami, who took over on Monday

‘I’m also really looking forward to reconnecting with Sami, she’s incredibly talented and the Illawarra are in for treat.’ 

Meanwhile, Sami confessed she was both ‘nervous and excited’ to be returning to breakfast radio.

‘It’s been quite a few years between radio shows (and 4am wakeup calls), so I’m nervous and excited to be joining the team next week…’ she said. 

New addition: Fellow radio host and former Australian Idol winner Damien Leith (right) also paid tribute to Meshel, while welcoming Sami to the team

New addition: Fellow radio host and former Australian Idol winner Damien Leith (right) also paid tribute to Meshel, while welcoming Sami to the team

‘I’m looking forward to spending more time in such a gorgeous part of the world – but mostly, I’m looking forward to having Damien sing to me every morning.’  

It was announced in February that Meshel would be returning to radio to host Wave FM’s breakfast show, almost two years after quitting The Project. 

‘Jade is about to have a baby and I am not. I couldn’t be happier for both of us,’ she told industry website Radio Today at the time. 

Filling in: It was announced in February that Meshel would be returning to radio to host Wave FM's breakfast show, almost two years after quitting The Project

Filling in: It was announced in February that Meshel would be returning to radio to host Wave FM’s breakfast show, almost two years after quitting The Project 

‘I’m also thrilled to be keeping her seat warm for the next couple of months. Talk about shaking off the 2020 blues.’

The announcement came two years after Meshel quit KIIS FM’s Matt & Meshel radio show and also stopped her regular appearances on Channel 10’s The Project.

In a tell-all interview with McKnight Tonight in 2019, Meshel said she’d experienced career burnout before quitting both roles.

'It's been quite a few years between radio shows (and 4am wakeup calls), so I'm nervous and excited to be joining the team next week...' said Sami

‘It’s been quite a few years between radio shows (and 4am wakeup calls), so I’m nervous and excited to be joining the team next week…’ said Sami

She also confessed she was ‘quite broke’ due to her charitable donations.

‘I’d worked hard for a long time and I’d always enjoyed [working in the media] but I just hit a wall,’ she said.

‘You’re so driven by the next job and getting the job and keeping the job, and the fear of other people coming up behind you, and the fear of taking a day off [in case] whoever replaces you will be great. I was that person, I wanted to keep grinding.’  

'Jade is about to have a baby and I am not. I couldn't be happier for both of us,' Meshel told industry website Radio Today

‘Jade is about to have a baby and I am not. I couldn’t be happier for both of us,’ Meshel told industry website Radio Today