ABC has lost yet another of its long-running hosts who announced his resignation live on air, just months after he criticised the broadcaster’s new offices in Western Sydney.
Radio Sydney presenter Richard Glover, 66, announced his departure from the 3.30-6.30pm slot on ABC’s Drive program after 26 years on Friday.
Mr Glover told his listeners he had ‘one of the best jobs in Australian journalism, and I feel I’ve hogged it for long enough’.
From here Mr Glover said that while he may return to the ABC it will not happen immediately and that he will focus on his Sydney Morning Herald column instead.
He also said that his newly freed up time will be spent working on another book and taking care of his three grandchildren.
During his career Mr Glover often predicted the death of radio but he now firmly believes it is not going anywhere as podcasts and audiobooks rise in popularity.
He is set to present his final program on November 29.
Earlier this week, Radio National breakfast presenter Patricia Karvelas announced she was leaving the role for ABC news TV, while popular News Breakfast sport presenter Tony Armstrong left the team a couple of weeks ago.
Radio Sydney presenter Richard Glover, 66, announced his departure from the 3.30-6.30pm slot on ABC’s Drive program after 26 years on Friday
Mr Glover’s resignation follows breakfast presenter Patricia Karvelas’ and popular News Breakfast sport presenter Tony Armstrong who announced their own in recent weeks
Mr Glover thanked everyone who had worked with him over the years to make his show a success.
‘It has a terrific audience — funny, wise, full of intellect but also willing to share some of the deeper stories of being human,’ he said.
‘There’s the chance to do anything. Every afternoon there’s politics, literature, music and comedy, all jockeying for position.
‘The projector plays behind your eyes, not in front of them.’
Former 7.30 host Leigh Sales paid tribute to Glover in an Instagram post on Friday afternoon.
‘He has been absolutely fantastic – warm, wise, good-humoured and intelligent,’ she said.
‘The exact kind of person you want keeping you company on the radio, in good times and bad.
‘Bravo Ricardo, you done good son.’
Mr Glover’s successor has yet to be announced but his advice for whoever inherits the role was simply to ‘enjoy it’.
Mr Glover began with the ABC in 1996 on Mornings before moving to Drive two year later.
Of the talent he talked to while on the air Mr Glover said his favourites were Bill Bryson, Clive James, Julie Andrews, Dolly Parton, Lou Reed and David Attenborough.
In recent months Mr Glover has been one of the most vocal critics of the ABC’s new Parramatta office and even wrote an opinion piece over the move for Sydney Morning Herald
He has been nominated for three Walkley awards, one of which was for his work in radio.
Mr Glover also took home the Guinness World Record in 2011 for the longest television interview.
In recent months however, Mr Glover has reportedly been one of the most vocal critics of the ABC’s new Parramatta office.
His opinions often spilt into the public view through a column he penned for the Sydney Morning Herald in June.
The piece was titled: ‘Give me back my landline, my desk drawers, and my dreary old office.’
The column was widely taken as Glover’s ‘de facto public complaint’ against the ABC.
All ABC Sydney weekday radio programs are broadcasting from the Parramatta office except for Craig Reucassel’s breakfast program.
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