Who is the best Aussie radio star of the 21st century?

Courier-Mail

a day ago

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Australia, I have a big ask.
I want you to tell me who you think is the best FM radio host from the last 25 years.
Personally, I think there are five who could claim the title, including one who deserves way more hype (more on that soon).
To celebrate the launch of the new news.com.au app, we're celebrating the people, places and events we'll never forget from the first quarter of the 21st century by asking for Australia's view. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include.
It wasn't easy, and there are many talented stars who have been left out (apologies to Fitzy, Wippa, Andy Lee, Kate Langbroek, Merrick, Rosso and Matt Tilley to name just a few).
I invited Mitch Churi, considered by many to be one of this country's most promising radio talents, to run through the shortlist with me.
Here they are in no particular order.
Hamish Blake
He's arguably the funniest radio star Australia has ever known, and many have since tried to imitate what he does.
'So much commercial radio that's made today is based on Hamish and Andy, and more so Hamish Blake,' Churi said. 'He's so funny and charming.'
Hamish and Andy dominated national FM radio from 2006 to 2017, creating some truly magical on-air moments that will be remembered for years to come.
Hamish Blake. Picture: Nigel Wright
Carrie Bickmore.
Carrie Bickmore
Carrie had a small role on radio as a newsreader before she made it big on TV thanks to Rove and The Project.
But she's arguably done some of her best work alongside Tommy Little on The Carrie and Tommy Show which has been on the Hit Network since 2017.
' She's made that jump from TV to radio which I don't think works every time,' Churi said.
'I find TV talent often struggle on radio (but) Carrie bucked the trend. She's so organic, she's so natural, she's real.'
Kyle Sandilands
The KIIS FM host is easily Australia's most talked about radio star.
He's had many controversies over the years, but there's no denying he's one of the greatest to ever sit behind a microphone.
'He gets the craft unlike anyone else,' Churi said about Sandilands. 'He's brilliant.
'He actually taught me everything I know in radio. My first paid radio job was at KIIS FM and I was 'Mitch, the coffee bitch', a name coined by Kyle.
' I was 19 and I would make him eight lattes … a day.'
Dave Hughes.
Kyle Sandilands.
Dave Hughes
Hughesy started hosting a Nova show back in 2001, and enjoyed a pretty consistent radio career all the way through to late 2024 when his 2Day FM breakfast show was axed.
'He's similar to Kyle in that he doesn't hold back, he says what he wants,' Churi said about the comedian.
'There's no one like Hughesy on radio … It's that voice as well, it's so annoying but it's brilliant!'
Fifi Box
Fifi is adored in Melbourne where she has hosted the Fox FM breakfast show for more than 10 years.
' Fifi allows the audience to feel like we're a friend, and that's very hard to do,' Churi said.
' I remember listening to Fifi and Jules when I was in high school,' he added. 'When she went on maternity leave and had her baby, I was invested.
'I was like, 'is Fifi in labour? Has Fifi given birth?'
'It was my royal baby!' he joked.
Fifi Box.
Jackie O. Picture: John Appleyard
Jackie O
Over the years, some have suggested that Jackie O has ridden on the coat-tails of her controversial co-host, Kyle Sandilands.
It's an unfair suggestion, because Jackie is one of the most talented broadcasters Australia has ever known.
'She's the brains behind that machine,' Churi said about The Kyle and Jackie O Show. 'Jackie's smart.
'She knows the image, she knows the brand so well, and the key to their success, I think, is a genuine friendship.'
Mick Molloy
The popular Aussie comedian has enjoyed a long relationship with Triple M, and currently hosts the station's breakfast show in Melbourne.
'He's very smart and knows that audience like no one else,' Churi said about Molloy.
'Of all the commercial stations in Australia, the Triple M audience is very peculiar … They know exactly what they want and he (Molloy) gives it to them every time. He's a genius!'
Mick Molloy. Picture: Benny Capp
Tim Blackwell.
Tim Blackwell
This is the radio star who in my opinion is criminally underrated.
Blackwell has co-hosted the Nova drive show since 2011, and a large part of its ratings success over the years is down to him.
Not only does he co-host, but he also panels the show (controls the mics, faders etc) and drives a lot of the show's content.
'The work that man does is more than any broadcaster in this country, hands down,' Churi said.
'I filled in for Tim when he was off sick a few months ago. I was panelling and I was hosting and I almost had a stroke!
'He commands that show, and I completely agree, he's slept on (underrated).'
Amanda Keller
I challenge you to find me one person who doesn't like Amanda Keller.
Currently hosting the Gold FM breakfast show in Sydney, Keller has been one of Australia's most loved entertainers for decades.
'She's a very special talent,' Churi said about Keller.
'Amanda Keller is an intelligent woman. It's that intelligence and wit that we all wish we had, and it's also an ability to be really earnest and really honest with her audience.
' Having a breakfast radio show requires you to just lay everything bare on the table, and she is 100 per cent herself.
'She's not afraid to get on there and cry … and then the next break … she's making you laugh your ass off.'
Amanda Keller. Picture: Brendon Thorne
Marty Sheargold.
Marty Sheargold
The comedian parted ways with Triple M under a cloud of controversy earlier this year, but that shouldn't erase the incredible career he had before it.
Sheargold was hilarious on the legendary Nova show, Kate, Tim and Marty, and enjoyed a loyal audience when he moved to Triple M to host The Marty Sheargold Show.
Mitch Churi's top three
When asked to pick his three favourites from the shortlist of 10, Churi named Amanda Keller, Tim Blackwell and Jackie O.
What do you think? Have your say in the poll above.
To celebrate the launch of the new news.com.au app, we're celebrating the people, places and events we'll never forget from the first quarter of the 21st century by asking for Australia's view. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include.
Originally published as Who is the best Aussie radio star of the 21st century?