Weekend Today host Lauren Phillips ‘is tipped to replace’ Polly ‘PJ’ Harding on KIIS FM Melbourne’s breakfast show
Weekend Today host Lauren Phillips is said to be the hot favourite to replace Polly ‘PJ’ Harding on KIIS FM’s 101.1 Melbourne breakfast show Jase & PJ.
According to the Herald Sun on Saturday, Lauren is ‘expected to join Jase Hawkins as co-host next month’.
Lauren has had experience on the airwaves, having presented Jase & PJ’s summer fill-in show with Ryan Jon.
Set to join? Weekend Today host Lauren Phillips (pictured) ‘is tipped to replace’ Polly ‘PJ’ Harding on KIIS FM Melbourne’s breakfast show Jase & PJ
A network representative told the Herald Sun they are yet to make any official announcements on PJ’s replacement. Daily Mail Australia has also reached out.
In March, a well-placed source told Daily Mail Australia that Lauren was offered the radio gig.
KIIS FM executives had a wish list of candidates to replace PJ, all of whom are known radio talents.
Not long: According to the Herald Sun on Saturday, Lauren is ‘expected to join Jase Hawkins as co-host next month’. Pictured: Polly ‘PJ’ Harding
They considered Kate Langbroek, who hosts the 3pm Pick-Up, and Yvie Jones, who hosted a Hit Network summer show with Grant Denyer in 2019.
Should Lauren take on the role, it’s understood she would juggle her commitments between KIIS FM and as a weather presenter on Weekend Today.
In March, PJ broke down in tears on air as she told listeners that resigning was ‘one of the hardest decisions’ she’d ever made.
Top of the list: In March, a well-placed source told Daily Mail Australia that Lauren was offered the radio gig. KIIS FM executives had a wish list of candidates to replace PJ, all of whom are known radio talents
She is returning to her native New Zealand after a ‘challenging’ year which saw her ‘priorities change’ after getting engaged.
PJ will be finishing up in June. Jase is not leaving the program.
She explained that being separated from her family and fiancé in New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic last year had taken a toll.
Announcement: In March, PJ broke down in tears on air as she told listeners that resigning was ‘one of the hardest decisions’ she’d ever made
PJ got engaged in December to her long-term partner, known only as ‘Beej’, but hasn’t been living with him because she works in Melbourne.
In addition to the pressure of a long-distance relationship, she lost her father in 2019.
‘It’s not been an easy decision to make but I know for me it’s the right one and will kickstart a brand new chapter,’ she said.
‘I will miss Jase and the whole team so much, but rest assured we will definitely stay in contact as Jase is adamant to be my head bridesmaid.’
Challenges: She explained that being separated from her family and fiancé in New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic last year had taken a toll
Staying: PJ’s co-host for the past six years, Jason ‘Jase’ Hawkins (pictured), is not leaving the show
Jase revealed it had been distressing watching PJ struggle behind the scenes over the last 12 months, saying she would often be in tears during ad breaks.
‘There were mornings where we’d be in an ad break and you’re in tears and you looked at me like, “I’m only staying here at the moment for you”,’ he said.
PJ agreed she was reluctant to resign because she felt like she’d be letting Jase down, but ultimately she had to focus on her own happiness.
Teamwork: The Jase and PJ partnership began six-and-a-half years ago when they joined forces to host a drive show in New Zealand