Radio character Jase Hawkins has taken a playful swipe at on-air rival Kyle Sandilands as he prepares to make a return to breakfast radio.
Hawkins and co-host Lauren Phillips’ breakfast program was abruptly axed from Melbourne’s KIIS FM roster final November to make approach for Sandilands and Jackie “O” Henderson’s juggernaut The Kyle & Jackie O Present, which might broadcast in Melbourne for the primary time ever.
However in February it was introduced Nova 100 had given the axed duo a lifeline and new dwelling on the community as hosts of the reimagined Jase & Lauren breakfast program.
Now, on the eve of their return to airwaves on Friday, Hawkins couldn’t assist however make a pointed remark about Sandilands whereas selling his new Nova gig on the As we speak present on Thursday morning.
“I used to be on The Kyle & Jackie O Present final week they usually had been speaking about how they’re coming to Melbourne, so that you guys should go up towards them,” host Karl Stefanovic identified. “So what would you wish to say to these two on the airwaves proper now?”
Hawkins was fast to reply: “The speak is once they’re going to begin and if it retains occurring like this, my concern is Kyle may very well be lifeless or casting from a retirement dwelling.”
After his playful dig, Hawkins added that he and Sandilands are literally mates and the shock jock reached out to him after it was introduced he was deflecting to Nova.
“We’re mates I can say that,” Hawkins added. “When it was introduced we had been going to Nova, Kyle was one of many first on the texts to say it was a terrific transfer and congrats.”
Phillips then jokingly added: “They had been mates till he pushed him over.”
On the time of the shake up, it’s consider Sandilands and Henderson wished to unfold their wings and broadcast their profitable Sydney present in Melbourne.
Hawkins and Phillips discovered themselves collateral harm in a record-breaking deal mentioned to earn Sandilands and Henderson a collective $200 million over the following 10 years.
And the dejected duo had been advised in a cellphone name from administration that they now not had jobs.
“Final night time, all of us acquired a cellphone name from administration … Mine was throughout ‘black hawk down hour’ when all the children are cracking it attempting to get to sleep,” Hawkins advised listeners on air on the time.
“[Management were] informing us that the present will probably be ending up on the finish of this yr. We’ll be ending up on the finish of 2023. Kyle and Jackie O will probably be taking up in 2024.”
Phillips added, “They’ll be syndicating their present from Sydney to broadcast right here in Melbourne.”
Phillips, who joined Hawkins on the present two years in the past, held again tears as she mentioned “that is actually not the best way we wished to bow out.”
“We didn’t have a alternative,” she added. “It’s a enterprise determination that we now have been advised is what’s occurring. We don’t need to say goodbye. We didn’t should be right here this morning to make this announcement, however we’re right here.”
It didn’t take lengthy for the duo to be snapped up once more with Nova 100 asserting them as the brand new hosts of its breakfast program.
“I’m rapt to have a job once more,” Hawkins joked in an announcement final month. “I’m much more over the moon that we get to hitch Nova. My complete profession, I’ve at all times wished to be part of this community, it’s the right match for Loz and I.”
“So, I’m sorry Nova, we’re by no means leaving. Melbourne, we’re again! So be part of us and are available over to Nova.”
