Radio stars Will and Woody axed by KIIS FM: ‘We are devastated’
Two loveable larrikins have joked they’ll ‘have to finally figure out how to make LinkedIn profiles’ after being axed by ARN.
Two of radio’s most loveable larrikins are “devastated” after being axed.
In a statement released on Wednesday, ARN announced that KIIS FM drive hosts Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw will wrap up at the end of the year.
“Will & Woody have been an important part of the KIIS family for the past eight years and have made a huge contribution to the network,” Kerri Elstub, ARN’s Chief Content Officer, said.
“We wish Will & Woody all the very best for the future and look forward to seeing what they do next. In the meantime, they still have plenty of great radio ahead of them before the end of the year, and we look forward to celebrating their contribution and giving them the send-off they deserve,” the CCO said.
The statement also included some quotes from the radio duo who sounded genuinely crushed by the decision.
“We are devastated we won’t be continuing to do what we truly love next year and will sorely miss hearing the stories of everyone who contributed to the show,” they said.
“It was always the listeners who made the show, so we are deeply thankful to you all. We are also incredibly grateful to ARN for allowing us to live out our dream for the last 8 years …
“Guess we’ll now have to finally figure out how to make LinkedIn profiles,” they joked.
Will and Woody have built a massive legion of fans over the years by serving up chaotic pranks and top-tier banter on the radio.
However, they’ve also proven that they’re not afraid to tackle the heavy stuff, with the pair routinely using their platform to spark important conversations about mental health and depression.
Who will replace them
In the statement released on Wednesday, ARN said that it will “take a refreshed approach to national Drive in 2027,” with “details to be announced at ARN’s Upfront later this year”.
According to radio insiders, Carrie Bickmore may be a part of KIIS FM’s new drive show.
Bickmore currently co-hosts Carrie and Tommy on the Hit Network, but there have been persistent rumours that her on-air partnership with Tommy Little is coming to an end.
A big week in radio
There have been a lot of changes at KIIS FM lately, as the radio network attempts to rebuild after axing The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
Earlier this week, it was leaked that Ash London, Elliot Garnaut and possibly ex-AFL player Isaac Smith will host the new KIIS 101.1 breakfast show in Melbourne.
On Thursday, news.com.au revealed that Dr Chris Brown, Jack Charles and Amy Gerard are tipped to host the new breakfast show on KIIS 106.5 in Sydney.
The line-up of the new national drive show is the last piece of the puzzle.
