ABC has lost another of its long-running presenters, announcing his resignation live on air just months after criticizing the broadcaster’s new offices in Western Sydney.
Radio Sydney presenter Richard Glover, 66, announced his departure from 3.30pm to 6.30pm on ABC’s Drive program on Friday after 26 years.
Mr Glover told listeners he had “one of the best jobs in Australian journalism, and I feel I’ve done it long enough.”
From here, Mr Glover said that while he may return to the ABC, it won’t happen immediately and he will instead focus on his column in the Sydney Morning Herald.
He also said his newly freed up time will be spent working on another book and taking care of his three grandchildren.
During his career, Mr Glover often predicted the death of radio, but he now firmly believes it is not going anywhere as podcasts and audiobooks become increasingly popular.
He will present his final program on November 29.
Earlier this week, Radio National breakfast presenter Patricia Karvelas announced she would be leaving the ABC News TV role, while popular News Breakfast sports presenter Tony Armstrong left the team a few weeks ago.
Radio Sydney presenter Richard Glover, 66, announced his departure from 3.30pm-6.30pm on ABC’s Drive program on Friday after 26 years
Mr Glover’s resignation follows breakfast presenter Patricia Karvelas and popular News Breakfast sports presenter Tony Armstrong announcing their own sports presenter in recent weeks
Mr Glover thanked everyone who had worked with him over the years to make his show a success.
“It has a great audience – funny, wise, full of intellect, but also willing to share some of the deeper stories of being human,” he said.
‘There is an opportunity to do something. Every afternoon there is politics, literature, music and comedy, all vying for position.
‘The projector plays behind your eyes, not in front of them.’
Former 7.30 presenter Leigh Sales paid tribute to Glover in an Instagram post on Friday afternoon.
“He has been absolutely wonderful: warm, wise, good-humored and intelligent,” she said.
‘Exactly the kind of person you want to keep company on the radio, in good times and bad.
“Bravo Ricardo, you did well son.”
Glover’s successor has yet to be announced, but his advice to whoever inherits the role was simply to “enjoy it.”
Mr Glover started at the ABC in 1996 with Mornings before moving to Drive two years later.
Of the talent he spoke to while on air, Mr. Glover said his favorites were Bill Bryson, Clive James, Julie Andrews, Dolly Parton, Lou Reed and David Attenborough.
In recent months, Mr Glover has been one of the most vocal critics of ABC’s new Parramatta office, even writing an op-ed about the move for the Sydney Morning Herald.
He has been nominated for three Walkley Awards, one of which was for his work in radio.
Mr Glover also took home the Guinness World Record for the longest television interview in 2011.
However, in recent months, Mr Glover has reportedly been one of the most vocal critics of ABC’s new Parramatta office.
His opinions often entered the public consciousness through a column he wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald in June.
The piece was entitled: ‘Give me back my landline, my desk drawers and my dreary old office.’
The column was widely seen as Glover’s ‘de facto public complaint’ against the ABC.
All ABC Sydney weekday radio programs are broadcast from the Parramatta office, except Craig Reucassel’s breakfast program.