Christian O’Connell didn’t mince words on air this morning, revealing the emotional intensity behind Jack Post’s unexpected decision to leave The Christian O’Connell Show on GOLD104.3.
“This has been a really intense couple of days. I asked Jack to take Thursday and Friday off to think about it,” O’Connell said. “He told me he didn’t need that time. He was still leaving, which is he literally called me out of the blue with no warning that he was thinking about leaving within 10 days.”
It was a bombshell for listeners and no doubt for The Australian Radio Network (ARN) who, back in 2021, had extended Post’s contract at the network for another four years.
But for O’Connell, who’s helmed the number-one Melbourne breakfast show with Post since launching in 2018, the impact is deeply personal.
A goodbye driven by instinct and timing
Post, known for his dry humour and effortless chemistry with O’Connell and newsreader Patrina Jones, confirmed the news on air.
“I leave with nothing but gratitude and so much love for you guys, and for the show. It really has been an amazing period of my life and in some ways surreal to say goodbye. But I can’t tell you how much it means that you guys have been supportive, accepting, understanding of this decision.”
Post said he felt it was time to step away and allow new creative energy to emerge. “The show’s at number one. I love you guys. I deeply wish you all the best for the future, but it’s time for me to go. I think I have to say goodbye, breathe some space into my life away from this radio show, and see what comes next.”
O’Connell, Post and Patrina Jones
From Hamish & Andy to Christian & Jack
For many in radio, Post’s trajectory is the stuff of industry lore.
He cut his teeth with comedy juggernauts Hamish Blake and Andy Lee, working across their national drive show and building a reputation as a go-to audio producer and on-air foil.
But after Hamish & Andy stepped away from radio in 2017, Post found himself wondering what was next.
Enter Christian O’Connell, a UK radio star who had just relocated to Australia to launch a brand-new breakfast show. The pairing proved potent. Within two years, the program climbed to the top of Melbourne’s breakfast radio rankings, with Post a key ingredient in its success.
Big moments, big shifts
Off-air, Post has spoken openly about fatherhood and its transformative impact. In a 2023 interview, he revealed that becoming a dad made him re-evaluate everything, career included.
“I always thought I’d have this overwhelming moment of instant love,” he revealed on The Imperfects podcast while reflecting on his son’s birth. “But what I felt was a tidal wave of responsibility. It shifted how I thought about time, about priorities.”
That kind of introspection seemed to echo in his on-air farewell and in the Instagram post he shared this morning: “There is something in my gut telling me it’s time to close this chapter and write the next one.”
Post (second from left) with the team from The Imperfects podcast.
A final week, and a future to be written
Post’s last day on The Christian O’Connell Show will be this Friday. O’Connell, who described Post as a “world-class talent” will launch a national search to find a new team member.
In true showman style, he’s also teasing “some big news” about the future of the show in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the team at ARN is full of praise: “We thank Jack for the incredible energy, creativity, and heart he’s brought to GOLD104.3 and to breakfast radio in Melbourne.”
For now, Melbourne listeners have five more mornings to hear the banter that helped define a radio era—and to say goodbye to a voice that, for many, has been part of their daily soundtrack for seven years.
As Post put it: “Knowing Christian has been one of the most profound relationships of my life. I’ve so much more to say about him, but for now I will simply say: I love you, mate. Thank you for everything.”
To hear Jack’s full announcement click here