A popular radio host has apologised live on air for drink-driving on his way home from a cerebral palsy charity event.
Melbourne’s 3AW breakfast presenter John Burns revealed he lost his licence after he was caught with a 0.061 blood alcohol reading during a roadside breath test last year.
Interrupting his radio show on Thursday, Burns confessed to drink driving and apologised to his listeners.
Melbourne’s 3AW breakfast presenter John Burns revealed he lost his licence after he was caught with a 0.061 blood alcohol reading during a roadside breath test last year
‘I’m pretty embarrassed about it actually, and very ashamed too,’ he said.
Burns said he was caught on his way home from hosting a children’s charity benefit for cerebral palsy at the Riversdale Golf Club in Mount Waverley Victoria.
‘It was a function I didn’t intend to stay at, but I was prevailed upon to do so and have dinner, wine was served,’ Burns said.
‘I did drink, but I was convinced the amount I consumed would ensure that I was under the limit.
‘But as I say, there are no excuses.’
Burns also admitted he had a prior low range drink driving offence within the past 10 years.
‘So now I have to go to court and let a judge decide what happens to my license from here,’ he said.
Burns and his co-host Ross Stevenson were Melbourne’s top rating breakfast radio show in 2017, with 20.1 per cent of the audience tuning in to their show each day.
Burns (right) and his co-host Ross Stevenson (left) were Melbourne’s top rating breakfast radio show in 2017, with 20.1 per cent of the audience tuning in to their show each day
Speaking ashamedly on Thursday, Burns accepted his position as a radio host held him to higher account.
‘From our position we’re expected to set an example and given we report on the indiscretion of others, I leave myself open to some pretty harsh criticism, and deservedly so,’ he said.
Burns took the opportunity to apologise to his co-host, Ross Stevenson.
‘I apologise to you Ross, that this might bring some negative publicity to the program that I love,’ he said.
‘And the listeners, you at home, I apologise for letting everybody down.’
Stevenson did not apprehend or try to console Burns at the end of his apology, simply offering: ‘As you say, no excuses’.