Latest news with #ChristianOConnell
Daily Telegraph
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Ex-Today Show host Alex Cullen lists Summer Hill Federation home for rent
Starting over … Alex Cullen is moving on in Melbourne. Crestfallen former Today Show sports presenter Alex Cullen has listed his Summer Hill home for rental follow his relocation to Melbourne. Cullen will shortly turn up as the sports jock on Christian O'Connell's Gold 104.3 breakfast radio show which recently lost its top FM ranking. Cullen's charming 1912 Queen Anne Federation home, Kironga has only been on the market for a week, but has already seen its asking rent trimmed from $1800 a week to $1700. The four-bedroom, two bathroom home features original charm from its living and entertaining spaces to it's a rear yard with lemon and avocado trees. Cullen, and his Nine Entertainment journalist wife Bonnie, paid $1.9m in 2020 when the house on 556sq m was marketed as a 'highly rewarding refurbishment project.' MORE: 'Won't be back': Portelli's shock Block admission Billionaire Adrian Portelli found himself at the centre of more controversy when he gifted $50,000 to Alex Cullen. Picture: NewsWire/David Crosling Portelli's post announcing Cullen's prize. Picture: Instagram MORE: How Lambo Guy Adrian Portelli swept Block auctions 'This family friendly home is nestled in a highly sought after pocket,' the Harris Tripp leasing agent Kristian Lovicu advises in the marketing. The property management department has been struggling with a nearby luxury five bedroom, two bathroom Rosemount Ave bungalow still on the market after 75 days, according to Cotality, at $1750 a week. It sold last year at $5.4m. PropTrack data shows just 10 four bedroom lettings in the past year with a 33 days median time on market. Cullen was let go by Nine in January for briefly accepting a $50,000 gift from Block billionaire, and Melbourne raffle ticket seller, Adrian 'Lambo Guy' Portelli. MORE: Secret Block meeting proves finale was 'rigged' Gold 104.3's Christian O'Connell with new recruit Alex Cullen. MORE: Experts slam Portelli: Block is a dud investment The $50,000 was publicly offered by Portelli for the first television journalist to call him McLaren Guy not Lambo Guy. O'Connell announced Cullen's hiring on air joking that 'Channel 9 might go 'listen, we can't have that', but commercial breakfast radio, we are very much up for payola. Come on in. Don't worry Alex, you've found a home here, my friend.' ' I called him out of the blue a few weeks ago and we hit it off like old mates,' O'Connell said. Melbourne-bound reporter Alex Cullen is seeking $1700-a-week tenants for his former Summer Hill home. The 1912 Queen Anne Federation home has only been on the market for a week. 'He came over for a rigorous interview with me, that to onlookers may have looked like a long lunch with flowing red wine, but we bonded over being dads and a shared love of storytelling and how sport could be delivered on my show.' Cullen advised his recent appointment was 'such an exciting next chapter for me,'. 'I actually started my career in radio, so to be coming back to it and joining a show that's so loved and so full of heart is a real thrill. 'I can't wait to be on air with Christian, Pats and Rio, and to get to know Melbourne – my family and I are thrilled to be making it our new home.'
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Alex Cullen confirms surprise new role after getting brutally fired from Today: 'This is an exciting next chapter for me'
Alex Cullen has confirmed his surprising new role, almost six months after he was fired from the Today show for accepting a $50,000 gift from controversial Block bidder Adrian Portelli. In January, the presenter, 44, was given the sizeable sum after he was the first media personality to use Portelli's self-proclaimed nickname 'McLaren Man' live on air - sparking a firestorm which resulted in him leaving Channel Nine. He has now secured a new role as a sports presenter on Melbourne 's Gold 1043.3's top-rating breakfast program The Christian O'Connell Show. Host Christian O'Connell confirmed the exciting news live on-air on Thursday. 'Alex Cullen is brilliant journalist who is looking for a job! You might recognise the name, he's the guy who took the $50,000... That's our guy!' Christian began. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Christian added the commercial radio sector had different rules than TV and so they were happy to welcome Alex to their team. 'Now Channel Nine might go, "Listen, we can't have that", but commercial breakfast radio... We are very much up for payola! Don't worry Alex, you have found a home here, my friend,' he said. Alex shared his excitement at joining the show in a statement. 'This is such an exciting next chapter for me,' he wrote. 'I actually started my career in radio, so to be coming back to it and joining a show that's so loved and so full of heart is a real thrill. 'I can't wait to be on air with Christian, Pats and Rio, and to get to know Melbourne – my family and I are thrilled to be making it our new home.' He will officially join the show next month, after Christian's co- star Jack Post announced his resignation last month. Earlier this year, Alex was axed from the Nine Network after he accepted $50,000 from The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli. Today host Karl Stefanovic made the announcement that Alex had left the network live on-air. 'As most of you are well aware, our colleague Alex Cullen has not been on air with us this past week,' a solemn Stefanovic told viewers. 'There has been widespread reporting on the circumstances surrounding this, what I can say is that last night, Alex and Nine agreed he would finish with the network. 'Alex has, of course, been part of the Today family for five years now, he's always ready with a smile and a laugh and without hesitation speaking for all of us here, we can say that we are going to miss him terribly. 'A terrific fella, what you see is what you get and he has been a great mate to all of us over these years and we wish Alex, his wife Bonnie and his beautiful kids all the very best for the future.' A Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'Nine has agreed with Today presenter and journalist Alex Cullen that he will finish with the network following a review into a recent incident.' The scandal kicked off when Portelli had grown tired of his long-used nickname 'Mr Lambo' and offered the cash reward to the first person to use his new moniker on air, with Alex obliging on the Today show. The Block entrepreneur then posted what appeared to be a bank transfer of $50,000 to the presenter on Instagram. Accepting cash, gifts or benefits to undermine journalistic independence, and improperly using a journalistic position for personal gain, are both breaches of the journalism code of ethics as defined by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance union. The ill-advised stunt led to Alex being suspended by Nine and he did not appear on the show while the network investigated the payment. Nine's parting of ways with Alex went ahead despite Portelli's claim that the journalist intended the money to be paid to charity all along. Network insiders also told Daily Mail Australia that the stunt could have been beneficial for the network and Portelli, if Alex had advised the promoter that, as a journalist, he was unable to accept any payment for making the comment on-air.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Melbourne-based radio star shocks fans as he quits leading breakfast show after seven years: 'I'm at the end of what I can give'
A Melbourne radio star is stepping away from his top-rating breakfast show after seven years behind the microphone. Jack Post, 37, who has made a name for himself on The Christian O'Connell Show on Gold FM, quit the program on Monday morning in an emotional Instagram post. Jack shared a slew of snaps from his time on the show, including one of him playing a guitar in the studio with Christian O'Connell and another with his wife Bianca and son Gordon. Telling fans that it was one of the 'hardest decisions' he had ever had to make, the radio host revealed the reason why he was calling his time on the popular breakfast program. 'I love this show deeply, and it has given me so much. But there is something in my gut telling me it's time to close this chapter and write the next one,' he wrote in the caption. 'When I left radio with Hamish & Andy in 2017, I honestly didn't know what was next for me then — but I had an excitement and giddiness for the thrill of what it could be. He added: 'I'm so happy it turned out to be The Christian O'Connell Show. 'It's time to step away again, make space, and see what's next,' he shared. Jack said that he was grateful for the listeners who tuned in for the morning show over the years. 'Thank you to each and every listener who chooses this as their breakfast show. 'I love talking to you in the mornings, I love meeting you on the street — don't stop saying hello,' he wrote. The radio star then went on to thank his colleagues at the station, particularly Christian, who he said had been on of the 'most profound relationships of my life'. 'It is the defining friendship of my 30s, and his impact on me will last forever. 'I've so much more to say about him, but for now I will simply say: I love you, mate. Thank you for everything.' The Christian O'Connell Show also posted a clip of the host talking about his exit from Gold FM. 'Jack Post leaving the show this Friday,' Christian announced in the segment. 'I don't know what to say,' Jack replied with tears in his eyes. He added: 'It's been an amazing period of my life and in some ways surreal to say goodbye to it, but I can't tell you how much it means that you guys have been supportive, accepting, understanding of this decision and I'm going to miss you so much.' 'It scares me, it terrifies me but it also excites me and fills me with joy,' he added with a shaky voice. He went on to say that many people in his life, including his parents, couldn't understand why he was walking away from the radio gig, but said that he felt 'comfortable' and 'calm' waiting for 'whatever is next'. 'Sometimes it does feel like running a marathon and I'm just at the end of what I can give and run for this show, even though I love it so much.' Jack made headlines in 2022 after opening up about his debilitating struggle with post-natal depression that left him 'crying uncontrollably' on the floor every night. The Australian radio producer shared his story with his co-host Christian on his daily radio show for RUOK Day sharing the 'shame and guilt' he felt after he and his wife Bianca welcomed their son Gordon six months prior. He said he was 'embarrassed' about being a dad with post-natal depression but has improved his mental state in just a few short months after being open and honest about his feelings with himself and family and friends. 'It started when my son was born in March, and you remember how giddy I was during the pregnancy. I was so excited for him. I couldn't wait. I felt like I was across everything,' Jack told his co-host. 'I felt like I did 10/10 job of being a husband right up to the birth and then something changed after he was born, and it was really strange.' While Jack was excited Gordon has arrived safe and healthy and Bianca was well, the 'crazy amount of love' everyone was telling him he would feel for his new baby didn't come. 'I felt guilt and shame of bringing this little guy into the world who I am meant to love so much, and I can't feel that for I love him so much but that didn't come for three months,' he said fighting back tears. 'I went through what is called a post-natal depression, something I didn't even know new fathers could get. I thought it was something we had to be worried for Bianca as I know there is a high rate of post-natal depression in new mums, and I was the one feeling it.' Jack said some nights he would sit alone on the floor of Gordon's nursery with his head between his knees 'crying uncontrollably'. 'I felt Bianca was the one who did all the work, she brought him into the world, she went through the pregnancy, and I am the one who has depression and is crying on the floor. I felt so much guilt and shame and embarrassment about that,' he said.
News.com.au
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Radio star quits top-rated breakfast show
A beloved radio star has quit Melbourne's number one FM breakfast show. Jack Post, who co-hosts Gold FM's The Christian O'Connell Show, broke the news to listeners on Monday morning. 'It has been one of the hardest decisions I've had to make in my life,' Post wrote on Instagram. 'I love this show deeply, and it has given me so much. But there is something in my gut telling me it's time to close this chapter and write the next one. 'It's time to step away again, make space, and see what's next,' he wrote. Discussing his decision on air, Post said he has no idea what he'll do for work when he co-hosts the radio show for the final time this Friday. 'There is no plan … and it scares me, terrifies me, but it also excites me and fills me with joy,' he said on Gold FM. 'I think I have to say goodbye, breathe some space into my life away from this radio show and see what comes next and what creative energy returns to me.' Post said the brutal hours of breakfast radio contributed to his decision. 'Sometimes when you pull back, the whole thing does feel like an endurance challenge, day after day, week after week, year after year, doing these hours,' he said. 'Sometimes it does feel like running a marathon, and I'm just at the end of what I can give and run for this show, even though I love it so much.' O'Connell praised Post for his brave decision. 'To actually have the real courage to listen to your own life and what it's asking of you, most of us at various times don't listen to that calling, we've denied it for a bit, but you actually did slow down and really did listen to that calling and you've taken a huge decision for you.' Post, who was previously heard on Hamish and Andy's radio show, has been a part of The Christian O'Connell Show since it began seven years ago. 'Knowing Christian has been one of the most profound relationships of my life,' Post wrote on Instagram. 'It is the defining friendship of my 30s, and his impact on me will last forever. I've so much more to say about him, but for now I will simply say: I love you, mate. Thank you for everything.'
