Mix94.5’s “Captain” Paul Shepherd announced his retirement from radio on Monday on the Clairsy, Matt and Kymba breakfast show, after over 30 years on air with the SCA station.
Shepherd was diagnosed with bowel cancer in August and after undergoing surgery has been receiving chemotherapy treatment and making regular guest appearances on the show.
He will be moving to Denmark to spend time with his family, his best friend, Golden Labrador, Bella and in true Captain Paul style, build a plane.
“It’s a big decision and I certainly wasn’t ready to leave at the time but this has brought my thinking forward a few years,” Paul said.
“When you get a smack in the face that you could die, do something about it, I’m doing something about it.
“There is a lot of things I want to do. I’m going to build an aeroplane right from scratch, build everything myself and start flying again.”
Shepherd started his career from the skies, flying his aircraft Chucky high over Perth roads, he has most recently been in the studio for Clairsy, Matt and Kymba.
“Gee we miss you, we just miss you, no one else laughs at our jokes,” Kymba said.
“It was very clear what a part of the furniture you are in this city, let alone this station,” Matt said.
“I’m sure there is a lot of people very sad to hear that you are retiring but happy you will be doing what you want to be doing for the rest of your life.”
Mix 94.5 will celebrate Shepherd’s career on-air across the next few weeks, with years of bad jokes and tributes airing in the Clairsy, Matt and Kymba breakfast show and across the workday.
“I feel very special and humbled by all the attention,” said Shepherd.
“Thank you to all the lovely listeners for their support, I won’t disappear completely.”