The announcement was made at 8:08 a.m. on May 12.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison called into the show to offer his congratulations saying, “You’ve always spoken your mind to everyone, including me, and we’ve had one or two disagreements, but you’ve always done the best for your country.”
Jones, 79, said he would retire at the “end of the month” from 2GB radio, which broadcasts into Sydney and Brisbane, following advice from his doctor that he needed to lessen his workload.
“We are living in the world of coronavirus. The most repeated statement we hear is “we must listen to the experts,” he said.
“Well, the experts are telling me in no uncertain terms, and not for the first time I might add, ‘continuing with the present workload is seriously detrimental to your health.’”
“I have listened to the experts and I am taking this opportunity to indicate to my radio family that I will be retiring from radio at the end of this month.”
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott weighed in, writing on Twitter:
“Our national conversation will be different and poorer without @AlanJones on radio every morning.”
This ends 35 years behind the microphone, Jones will continue his commitments on Sky News television, and as a newspaper columnist for The Australian and The Daily Telegraph.
In April 2020, Jones saw his ratings jump 3.1 percent to secure him a 17.9 percent share of the Sydney breakfast market, with the nearest rival, ABC Sydney, at 10.9 percent.
His morning timeslot will be taken by Ben Fordham, who also congratulated Jones for his career, writing on Twitter:
“Huge congratulations @AlanJones on a sensational breakfast radio career. Following advice from doctors, AJ has announced he’s giving the early hours away. His television and newspaper work will continue. There will only ever be one Alan Jones.”
Jones was raised in south-east Queensland and coached the Australian Wallabies rugby union team in the 1980s. He was a regular participant in the national political debate.
