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Radio announcer Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello has been dumped from Hit Network’s SAFM breakfast show Bec, Cosi & Lehmo, days after he criticized Australian netball players for their sponsorship deal with Gina Rinehart.
Andrew confirmed on his Facebook page this week that he will not be returning to the show after it was confirmed to air on Friday.
Andrew’s co-hosts Rebecca Morse and Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann, will return to the airwaves on November 4 without him.
Radio announcer Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello (pictured) has been dumped from Hit Network’s SAFM breakfast show Bec, Cosi & Lehmo, days after criticizing Australian netball players for their Gina Rinehart saga over sponsorship deals
“I just learned that SAFM has decided to go ahead in 2023 without the Bec, Cosi and Lehmo breakfast show,” he wrote on the page.
‘I have loved SAFM so much since I first came in as a pig farmer from Kadina 23 years ago. They gave me my start in the media and it’s been a great run ever since. I wish them the best.’
Speaking with the Adelaide Advertiser on Saturday, Andrew claimed he had not provided an explanation for obtaining the boot.
‘I have loved SAFM so much since I first came in as a pig farmer from Kadina 23 years ago. They gave me my start in the media and it’s been a great run ever since. I wish them the best’. (Pictured with Rebecca Morse and Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann)
He also noted that it wasn’t the first time he was cut from a radio show by SAFM.
In 2011, he was also dropped from his radio show with Amber Petty, Dave ‘Rabbit’ Rabbetts and Dale ‘Louie’ Lewis.
“Eleven years ago… they let me down and fired me. I was terrified. I walked to Greenhill Rd and just cried my eyes out,” he recalls.
Andrew joined the show in 2020, but struggled to compete against its rivals. There has been speculation about a shake-up for a while
“I said, okay, I’ll never be in that position again; I will never be the victim of a broadcaster that dictates my future like that,” he continued.
Fast forward to yesterday and they’ve done it again, but this time I’m not sad. Because I have so many other things going on.”
Andrew joined Bec, Cosi & Lehmo in 2020 but is struggling to perform against his rivals.
He also noted that it wasn’t the first time he was cut from a radio show by SAFM. In 2011, he was also dropped from his radio show with Amber Petty, Dave ‘Rabbit’ Rabbetts and Dale ‘Louie’ Lewis
There has been speculation about a shake-up for some time now.
Andrew made headlines last week after hitting Australian netballers for ‘spitting in the face’ of mining magnate Gina Rinehart for rejection $15 million sponsorship deal through her company, Hancock Prospecting.
The Diamonds refused to wear the company logo in support of Indigenous player Donnell Wallam, over racist comments by Ms Rinehart’s father, Lang Hancock, about Aboriginal people four decades ago.
Mining magnate Gina Rinehart withdrew her $15 million sponsorship deal from Netball Australia after players decided not to wear the uniform (pictured, Team Australia celebrates after winning Constellation Cup netball match)
Andrew condemned the netballers’ decision in a furious social media post.
“You’d think a group of ladies would embrace and welcome a successful businesswoman like Gina. Instead, they spat in her face,” he wrote.
Costello recalled how Ms. Rinehart had generously supported his charity, Cows for Cambodia, because of her “love of the livestock industry.”
Costello claimed the billionaire heiress would now find someone “more grateful to accept her money” and that he felt sympathy for her because she only “wanted to help”
“She helped us to the utmost. Never ask for anything in return,’ he said.
“She was kind enough to spend $15 million sponsoring this netball team. She didn’t have to. She chose to help them.’
Costello claimed the billionaire heiress would now find someone “more grateful to take her money” and that he felt sympathy for her because she only “wanted to help.”
“To the team members who are tired of it. You won.
“You’ve lost the sponsor. But at what cost for the rest of the team or the sport???? Time will tell,’ he continued.
Andrew said, “She was kind enough to spend $15 million sponsoring this netball team. She didn’t have to. She chose to help them.’ In the photo: Gina Rinehart