Friday the 13th was a day of bad news for the 4BC breakfast team Laurel Edwards, Gary Clare and Mark Hine with the station confirming that it will be “taking on a new direction” with the radio trio set to depart the station on September 27.
The statement added: “Laurel, Gary and Mark have been part of the morning routine for millions of Brisbane listeners for over 30 years thanks to their chemistry, music and determination to make people laugh.”
Head of Content for Nine Radio, Greg Byrnes acknowledged the trio’s legacy, saying, “Laurel, Gary, and Mark have been a vital part of our live and local content strategy. It’s been a privilege to have them engage with Brisbane listeners, but we’ve decided to take a new approach to breakfast.”
Mr Byrnes also noted that the station’s loyal audience would undoubtedly miss the chemistry and humour the trio brought to their morning routine, adding, “We’ll be sending them off in a style worthy of their remarkable careers.”
Laurel Edwards shared on Facebook:
Hi folks,
Bittersweet day.
Sad because the Laurel, Gary and Mark Breakfast Show will finish up on 4BC in two weeks. Unlike what has been inaccurately reported it was no unceremonious ambush. There was no kicking or screaming, frogmarching or dramatic walkouts.
Thank you for all the lovely messages
I will miss spending every weekday with two amazing work husbands Gary and Mark and genuinely laughing each morning. Extremely proud of what we have achieved as one of the longest running, successful teams in Australian radio and still having fun
Who knows what’s ahead but for now, ready to chill
After 32 years of 4am alarms I’m truely excited about switching off for a while and annoying the shit out of Troy until I find a hobby.
The Courier Mail reports: Edwards, Clare and Hine, who made the leap from 4KQ to 4BC in July 2022, initially enjoyed a successful start, debuting with an 11.8 per cent market share.
This impressive rating secured them a solid third place in Brisbane’s fiercely competitive breakfast radio landscape, trailing behind FM giants B105 and Nova 106.9.
However, the show’s fortunes have since taken a dramatic downturn, with GfK’s latest radio survey in August showing a sharp drop to a 4.3 per cent audience share — now trailing behind all major FM stations, ABC Brisbane, and even Triple J.
The radio hosts will take a planned survey break next week before returning for their final week on air, beginning Monday, September 23.
Their last show on September 27 is expected to be a reflective and emotional farewell, featuring highlights from their storeyed tenure in Brisbane radio.
An announcement regarding 4BC Breakfast’s new line-up is expected in the coming weeks as the station looks to reinvigorate its morning programming for the remainder of 2024.
I am devastated with the end of the magic and professionalism of the Laurel, Gary and Mark Show. Laurel and Handy Gary and then Mark have been my morning routine for over 30 years. They have provided stability in my very challenging life with a business in Construction Cleaning and with my very challenging family and other relationships.
I will be switching from 4BC. The ratings obviously reflect that the Talk Back audience are the wrong fit for this extraordinary Team and it does not reflect the performance of this Show.
I just hope that Laurel, Gary and Mark find an opportunity to shine again as their show is unmatched and inspirational, sharing family values and providing a Role Model for our volatile society.
I guess as one door closes another opens and each of the team deserves amazing opportunities.
My heart is breaking and despite understanding the Life Truth that energy is neither created nor destroyed but merely transformed. When 4KQ closed and Brent James and the morning crew were thrown out for the sake of the almighty dollar, the story has been repeated.
Too sad.
Sending Love to you all.
Words can’t express how much I will miss your programme every day ! First 2 things I do. Switch radio and kettle on ! I have been listening to your programme for so many years I can’t remember ! Mostly I will miss the banter and laughs. Best wishes for your future I’m sure someone will snap you up crazy not too .
I think you guys at 4bc are so cruel laurel garry and mark have given me plenty of laughs over the years its not them that should be sacked its the flippin producers
Good luck L M & G i hope some one takes you all on
Peter an addictive listener
(Note not anymore)
I will sorely miss The morning team of Gary Laurel and Mark So disappointed in this mornings show. I’ll have to stay with my own music on Spotify and check out other stations
Why management never moved the crew to 4BH still has me shaking my head. I will miss the trio, they have been a HUGE part of my life. Enjoy the rest of your lives kids and be happy. That is what you did for us listeners.
Big raspberry to management!
I will truly miss the Trio. Been listening for over 30 years (Kim and Laurel (4KQ days)
I always had radio on while driving to work – always had a laugh which was a great start to the working day.
I wish you good health and happiness.
I will miss Laurel, Gary and Mark extremely as I have listened to them for many years. Some days they have been the only motivation for me to get up take the long drive to work every day. I don’t hold much credit for these so-called surveys, who are they surveying? I have never been asked which radio show I listen to and I’m guessing they are polling a younger audience. Anyway, I can’t think of any other radio station I would listen to, they all seem pretty tacky, and the informal language style is frustrating. Laurel has been the only female announcer I have ever enjoyed listening to and I will miss having a good laugh with these three. Good luck for what’s ahead!