Sharnelle Vella departs 774 ABC Melbourne

Award-winning journalist Sharnelle Vella has announced she will not return to the 774 ABC Melbourne Breakfast program in 2027.

Vella joined Bob Murphy on 774 ABC Melbourne Breakfast in 2025, and together they built a strong rapport with listeners.

In November 2025 Vella announced she was pregnant with a baby girl and opened up about her struggles with infertility. Following an on-air baby shower where ABC listeners raised more than $30,000 for local charity Our Village, Vella and her husband Nicholas welcomed daughter Eve in March 2026.

Of her decision not to return, Vella said: “I’ve loved my time at the ABC, and I’m grateful to have been offered an opportunity to return. But since becoming a mum to Eve, I’ve realised just how much I want to spend this precious time with her.

“Every parent knows how quickly these early months pass. Right now, I want more time at home with my baby and my family, so I’ve decided to leave 774.

“Thank you to my colleagues and to everyone who has listened and supported me. It’s been a special chapter, and I’ll always be grateful for it.”

“Like the ABC audience, I’ll miss my mornings with Sharnelle,” co-host Bob Murphy said.

“I learnt so much from her. Incredibly smart, hard working and her razor sharp wit, but it’s her laugh that I’ll personally miss the most. To SV, Nicholas and baby Eve, much love.”

Manager 774 ABC Melbourne Shelley Hadfield said: "Sharnelle is an absolute superstar and we have loved having her as part of the 774 family. The audience warmed to Sharnelle so quickly and she was inundated with messages of love and knitted baby clothes when she announced she was pregnant. 

"We respect Sharnelle's decision and we will miss her. We wish Sharnelle and her beautiful family all the best."

Bob and Richelle will continue presenting Breakfast for the remainder of the year.

Details about the 2027 774 ABC Melbourne line up will be announced later this year.