RN Breakfast host Fran Kelly has announced she is leaving the program after 17 years on air at the ABC.
One of Australia’s most respected journalists, Kelly made the announcement on air on Thursday morning, telling listeners it was time for a change.
“I’ve got some breaking news, I just want to let you all know my days presenting RN Breakfast are coming to an end. After 17 years it’s time,” she announced on Thursday. “I want to thank you for your support you’ve given me.”
“I can’t believe I have actually got these words out, in fact I’ve been dreading saying it out loud and making it real, RN Breakfast such a huge part of my life I will miss it and I will miss you.
“It’s been a privilege and an absolute joy.”
Kelly said leaving the program was “probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life”, but breakfast radio hours were a hard taskmaster.
“I absolutely love the job, I’ve never not loved it, and I give it up reluctantly,” she said. “But breakfast radio is very demanding, it’s a hard taskmaster, getting up around 3.30am for 17 years, and I never want to be in a position where I can’t give it everything, because every day it takes pretty much everything, so I felt like my body and my brain this year was saying it’s time.”
RN Breakfast has been breaking news for years, but this morning we’ve got some breaking news of our own.
— RN Breakfast (@RNBreakfast) October 20, 2021
After an unparalleled 17-year-stint, @frankelly08 has announced that she will be stepping away from the Breakfast mic at the end of this year. pic.twitter.com/j5omXjj6yc
Kelly will step down from the role in December and take a break. She will remain at the ABC, and plans to cover the upcoming federal election. She will be continuing as co-host of the popular political podcast, The Party Room.
350 texts to the @RNBreakfast text line in the 10 minutes since @frankelly08 announced she will be leaving at the end of the year.
— Matt Bevan (@MatthewBevan) October 20, 2021
ABC managing director David Anderson paid tribute to Kelly, and her contribution over a number of years to journalism, describing her as “fearless”.
“I admire Fran’s ability to engage Australians in important conversations across a wide brief, from breaking news and national crises through to sport, music and the arts,” he said. “She’s fearless when it comes to the tough political issues but also incredibly empathetic when talking to people about their lives.”
“Fran is duly respected and admired by so many and has played a pivotal role in supporting future generations of journalists and presenters, within and beyond the ABC.”
😭😭😭 @frankelly08 is deserving of so much respect – what a superb journalist. She has delivered an incredible public service as host of @RNBreakfast https://t.co/Eho2TLovMX
— Leigh Sales (@leighsales) October 20, 2021