Dumped 2DayFM host Dave Hughes looks downcast as he plays a game of tennis after his radio show was axed
Dave Hughes looked pretty down when he took to the tennis court for a hit on Tuesday.
The comedian, whose radio show was axed from 2DayFM in August, looked glum as he spent the warm day with a friend in Melbourne.
Hughesy, 54, showed off his athletic skills in a red T-shirt and black Nike running shorts.
To stay safe from the sun, the prankster shielded his face with a black cap and walked quickly on tiptoes in a pair of black running shoes.
He also appeared to track his outdoor workout with a smart watch.
It’s been a year of mixed fortunes for Dave after his Hughesy, Ed & Erin 2DayFM breakfast show came to a sensational end in August amid rising ratings and ‘engagement issues’.
Dave Hughes (pictured) looked pretty down as he took to the tennis court for a hit on Tuesday
The comedian, whose radio show was axed from 2DayFM in August, looked glum as he spent the warm day rallying with a friend in Melbourne.
2Day FM announced the axing of its trio of hosts on August 8, informing listeners that they were choosing to pull the plug on the show, replacing it with night shift larrikins Jimmy Smith and Nath Roye, who hosted The Jimmy and Nath Show.
The announcement came that evening as the embattled presenters were given one more show to wrap up the next morning – but they decided not to go back on air.
“We have enjoyed our time together on 2DayFM Breakfast, but because some of our families live in different cities, we cannot commit to 2025,” Hughsey, Ed and Erin said in a statement.
‘So with a heavy heart we are stepping aside so that 2DayFM can find the team to help them further in Breakfast.’
The show, hosted by Dave, Ed Kavalee and Erin Molan, only achieved a 3.6 market share in the latest ratings survey.
Millions of dollars were reportedly spent to save the long-running radio program, but nothing could be done to keep the show on the air.
According to radio insiders, the departure was ‘a long time coming’ for the trio and their plummeting ratings were the ‘final nail in the coffin’.
‘SCA (Southern Cross Austereo) has spent millions to make this show a success, including having Hughesy move from Melbourne to try to ‘connect’ more with listeners in Sydney by actually living there, but it’s still increasingly difficult to find an audience,” radio source told Yahoo lifestyle.
Hughesy, 54, showed off his athletic skills in a red T-shirt and black Nike gym shorts
“Early this year they brought in a new executive producer who they poached from KIIS, but even that wasn’t enough and no one is surprised that it has now been dropped.”
Southern Cross Austereo then thanked the radio presenters for their ‘passion and dedication’ following the announcement.
‘We are incredibly grateful to Hughesy, Ed and Erin for their continued dedication to making the 2DayFM Breakfast show an enjoyable way to wake Sydney up every morning since 2020, and we wish them all the best as they continue their excellent career,” said SCA Chief Content Officer, Dave Cameron.
“As we look to 2025, we are preparing for a change for the 2DayFM Sydney Breakfast show and will make further announcements in due course.”
The Jimmy & Nath Show has been temporarily moved to the Breakfast timeslot.
The announcement followed rumors that Hughes would reunite with Kate Langbroek, 58, to reboot their popular Hughesy and Kate show.
The pair last presented Hit FM’s popular show in 2019, before Langbroek took a step back from the program to move to Italy.
In July, the Herald Sun reported that Melbourne was abuzz with rumors that Langbroek and Hughes were preparing to bring the program back.
Millions of dollars were reportedly spent to save the Hughesy, Ed & Erin breakfast show, but nothing could be done to keep the show on the air and was eventually canceled in August. Pictured (L-R): Ed Kavalee, Dave Hughes and Erin Molan
The announcement follows rumors that Hughes will reunite with Kate Langbroek, 58, to reboot their popular Hughesy and Kate show. Both shown
Meanwhile, Hughes recently guest-starred on Triple M’s The Rush Hour in Melbourne, which was a big hit with listeners.
Hughes and Langbroek first worked together in 2001 for Nova 100’s Melbourne breakfast show.
Langbroek currently co-hosts the popular podcast The Buck Up with Nath Valvo after leaving her last commercial radio gig on KIIS FM The Pick Up two years ago.
She teased a possible radio reunion with Hughes last year.
“We are full of love for each other and nothing is off the table for us,” she told the channel Herald Sun last August.
‘I love Hughesy. I’m not doing radio at the moment, but I will always love radio because it’s such a natural medium for me.’
Elsewhere, Hughesy is currently preparing for his stand-up tour next year.
The comedian has a series of shows in major capital cities across Australia between February and June, while he heads to various regional locations between May and November 2025.