An ill-judged quip from ABC Radio Melbourne’s Bob Murphy on Thursday quickly turned into a national talking point, after the former AFL captain implied on-air that his co-host Sharnelle Vella once worked at a strip club.
This morning, Murphy addressed the comment, offering a grovelling on-air apology.
The moment that sparked it all
It all began during Thursday morning’s broadcast of ABC Radio Melbourne Breakfast, hosted by Murphy and Vella.
The pair were in conversation with Elinor Kasapidis from Certified Practising Accountants Australia, discussing early work experiences and financial advice.
Vella began a story about her high school job in retail, saying, “I remember when I worked in retail many moons ago…” before Murphy interjected, “Not at Spearmint Rhino?” referencing a well-known Melbourne strip club.
The moment was brief, but the implication hung heavily in the air. Vella gave a swift and composed “No” before continuing with the segment, but the damage was done.
The offhand remark, made just before the 7.30am news bulletin, drew criticism from listeners and quickly gained media traction.
Public apology and a frosty response
This morning, Murphy addressed the incident at the start of the show. “I think it’d be pertinent from my point of view to start with some news that came out of this studio,” he said, acknowledging the growing media coverage.
“I made a comment that insinuated my colleague and co-host Sharnelle here worked at Spearmint Rhino. Cutting straight to the point, it was not just a mistake, it was a gross and inaccurate offhand quip. I promised Sharnelle that I’d never disrespect her, and I broke that promise. Put simply, I’m really sorry.”
Vella, for her part, didn’t let it slide.
Her reply was pointed and clear: “I won’t let you off the hook on it. It wasn’t OK. I appreciate your words, but we do move on.” Her professionalism in the moment was widely noted, even as the exchange underscored growing scrutiny on Murphy’s tenure at the station.
A rocky start
Murphy and Vella took over ABC Melbourne Breakfast earlier this year, replacing long-time host and comedian Sammy J.
But it’s been a challenging transition.
The show’s ratings have dropped significantly, from 7.9 percent audience share to 5.6 in the space of just a few months, according to recent surveys.
While the chemistry between hosts is often the magic ingredient for morning radio, this latest misstep may raise internal questions about the pairing.
Whether the team can bounce back remains to be seen, but for now, Murphy’s attempt at ‘humour’ has become a case study in what not to say on live radio.