Popular radio host Dee Dee Dunleavy suddenly suspended in surprise announcement: ‘I’m devastated it’s come to an end’
- 3AW presenter suddenly gone after 11 years
- Dee Dee Dunleavy tweeted that she is “devastated.”
A popular radio presenter said she is “devastated” after being suddenly dropped off her afternoon show on Melbourne’s 3AW after 11 years with the station.
The shocked departure of Dee Dee Dunleavy was announced by the station Monday morning, shortly after being told her services were no longer needed.
“3AW has agreed to an early termination of Dee Dee Dunleavy’s broadcast after informing the broadcaster that her contract would not be renewed at the end of the year,” the station said in a statement.
The station’s statement also included a quote from Dunleavy saying “I’m happy to leave with a good feeling, and with a record I’m very proud of.”
But a post on Twitter told a very different story, with a gutted Dunleavy saying, “I was having the time of my life at work. I’m devastated that it’s come to an end.’
The shocked departure of Dee Dee Dunleavy (pictured) was announced Monday morning by 3AW, shortly after being told her services were no longer needed
Dunleavy tweeted (pictured) that she is ‘devastated’ after being suddenly dropped off at her midday show on Melbourne’s 3AW after 11 years with the station
The radio station’s manager Stephen Beers said he wanted to ‘thank Dee Dee for her three and a half years on Afternoons and her stint on Weekend Break with Grubby before that’.
“She’s been a big part of 3AW’s lineup,” he said.
Dunleavy said she “took over the Afternoons program just as the pandemic threw us into lockdown, and so I was faced with the dual challenge of navigating – from a distance – a new show while keeping the audience informed and entertained ‘.
She thanked the listeners who propelled the show through the pandemic.
“I am eternally grateful to all the callers who shared with me their grief over the loss of loved ones and their anguish over the loss of their jobs and businesses.
“For those who were isolated, I hope I was part of the comfort and connection that radio brought them during that time.”
Dunleavy (pictured) said: ‘I’m happy to leave with a good feeling, and with a record I’m very proud of’
Dunleavy added that she ‘greatly enjoyed hearing different opinions and discussing the stories that matter to Melbourne.
“I am grateful to 3AW for giving me the opportunity to develop my skills as a talkback presenter over the past 11 years.”
Although her contract doesn’t expire until the end of the year, Dunleavy won’t get the chance to say goodbye to her listeners on the air.
Instead, the station announced that Elise Elliott will fill in for the Afternoons show this week, with a permanent replacement decision to follow.