Radio star Marty Sheargold steps down from Triple M breakfast show after AFL controversy and mysterious three-month absence

Marty Sheargold has parted ways with Melbourne’s Triple M Melbourne Breakfast squad following a mysterious three-month absence and the ‘incident’ during last year’s AFL Grand Final.

Triple M confirmed the news on Thursday morning, saying the 53-year-old comedian and radio presenter will not be returning to the morning show, but will continue his podcast and national 3pm broadcast with the network.

“Taking an extended break at the end of last year has made it even more important to spend more time with my family,” Sheargold said in a statement.

‘As a result, I have decided to prioritise self-care, maintain a better work-life balance and will not be returning to my Triple M Breakfast show. I will, however, continue with The Marty Sheargold Show podcast, along with the national Triple M show from 3pm to 4pm.’

He continued: ‘I would like to thank my immediate team and the network for their continued support and understanding. And I would also like to thank the listeners for their loyalty to both the show and the station. Like them, I remain a Triple M fan.’

Dave Cameron, Chief Content Officer at SCA, said: “SCA supports Marty’s decision to rebalance his personal and business commitments, and we would like to thank Marty and his team for creating a unique and hilarious Breakfast show for Melbourne since 2021.

‘However, it is exciting that our listeners will continue to hear Marty, along with his current team of Troy Ellis, Loren Barry and Will Ralston, both across the Triple M network as a national afternoon radio show and via his favourite daily podcast on LiSTNR, which is regularly featured prominently in the Australian Podcast Ranker.’

The former breakfast host took ‘personal leave’ after a alleged incident during the AFL Grand Final last year in September, when he left during half-time.

When he returned to the show in January after a three-month hiatus, some listeners called his return to the radio “not funny” and “mean.”

In an April Reddit thread, several people weighed in on Sheargold’s television antics.

“He’s become a bigger dick since he came back. Mean little prick wouldn’t say half the crap he says to the callers if they were in the studio,” said one.

“I agree with you, he has gotten worse since his breakdown and recovery,” wrote another.

“I feel like it’s gotten better lately, but judging by the responses, other people don’t seem to think so,” said someone else.

“Every joke is a bad joke. After a while you get tired of listening to it,” someone else noted.

“I think he used to be funny, but now he just seems to insult people without any real joke in it,” said another.

‘No idea how he got his own show, he’s a colored guy at best, not a host, carried by the rest of his crew. The guy reads the headlines ffs, guys on a mint buck, could put some effort into his segments,’ said another.

Others disagreed, however, with one chiming in: ‘It’s no different than normal. The “meanness” is part of his trick.’

The troubled Melbourne radio presenter said he had taken an “extended break” because he was “burned out”.

“I realized I was completely burned out the last few years,” he explained.

He also said he was inspired by AFL coaches Alistair Clarkson and Damien Hardwick, who both retired from their football teams last year.

“Last year, two guys raised their hands and said, ‘I need a break.’ And I thought, ‘You know what, I need a break,’” Sheargold said.

“Things are changing. I’m not doing a routine this year,” he added, to which his producer Loren Barry replied, “You just do yourself.”

Marty then made a bizarre comment and said, “I’m going to do some h****ing too. That’s going to be fun, so stay for that. Watch the wheels fall off.”

Late last year, Southern Cross Austereo confirmed that Sheargold would return to radio in January, after a three-month hiatus from broadcasting due to a “mental health break”.

He was reportedly thrown out by MCG security for making offensive comments to other guests.

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Southern Cross Austereo told Daily Mail Australia: “Marty Sheargold left the AFL Grand Final at half-time of his own accord.”

Sheargold was still on the show the week after the finale, but disappeared from the screen a few days later. Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann took his place.