Radio icon John Laws announces his retirement after 71 years: ‘It’s long enough’

John Laws has announced he will retire next month.

The veteran radio presenter, 89, announced on Tuesday morning on 2SM that he will hang up his headphones on November 8, after almost 71 years on the radio.

Laws made the announcement after reading a letter from a listener who wanted to thank him for years of entertainment on the airwaves.

“You won’t be hearing it for much longer mate, I think it’s time to rest I guess,” he said.

‘I’ve done it for a very, very, very long time – 70 years, is that long enough? It’s long enough.’

John added that he might ‘end it soon’, before confirming that he will be calling time on his stellar radio career in November.

He added that he felt the time was right to devote time to his radio career.

“I would have done it 71 years, the first week of November will be 71 years since I started in radio,” he said.

‘I don’t want to be greedy, I’ve had 71 fantastic years. I’ve enjoyed almost every minute of it.’

John further admitted that this would be his final farewell, adding that he planned to retire traveling and reading.

‘I still feel young, I still feel healthy. If I end it, it will be a day. I’m not going to leave and come back and say it was all a mistake,” the broadcast icon said.

John’s 2SM account shared a montage image on Instagram on Tuesday that showed him at various stages of his long and storied career.

‘What a day! And what seventy years it has been,” the caption read.

“To all of John’s loyal listeners, thank you for keeping the dream alive! And thank you to everyone who contributed to today’s show.”

John’s fans were quick to respond to the message, offering hearty congratulations for such a successful career on air.

‘One of the many who listen but don’t call. The world won’t be the same when you retire,” one person commented.

Another chimed in with a similar one: “Bravo John! An incredible achievement.’

John began his career in AM radio in 1853 at 3BO in Bendigo and his unique style earned the broadcaster the nickname ‘the Golden Tonsils’.

After four years at 3BO, John moved to metro broadcaster 2UE, where he became one of the first DJs to play rock ‘n’ roll music.

Laws left radio in 2007 for four years and returned to 2SM in 2011.

In September, Laws returned to his S2M Super Network show after spending a long period in hospital.

After seeking medical care for a blocked ear, his health rapidly deteriorated and he was admitted to St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney for three weeks.

He had contracted pneumonia, but later revealed that he was thankfully on the mend.

“I’m alive, I’m doing well, I’m happy,” he told The Saturday Telegraph.

In 2022, he took periods of leave from his radio gig after suffering from respiratory infections.

Despite this, Laws had told the publication that he had no plans to retire.

“I turn on the mic and the board fills up every day and I’m back, on the air, doing what I love to do,” he said.

‘Why should I stop?’ the veteran shock jock added.

Host Dave Cochrane filled in for John on his 2SM show while he was in hospital.

Speaking to listeners, Cochrane said: ‘I’m sorry to say you’re having to put up with me again today, the King is still not feeling his best but fingers crossed he might be back and behind the golden microphone tomorrow. ‘

Laws lost his wife Caroline to cancer in February 2020 after 40 years of marriage.