Alex Cullen has officially turned on his mic at Melbourne’s GOLD104.3, completing his first shift on air as The Christian O’Connell Show’s resident sports guru.

During his first show, Alex spoke about his recent move to Melbourne and the ‘awful’ drive down from Sydney that saw both of his twin daughters vomiting and why he showed up to work on the first day an hour early and with a black eye.

Key quotes below and full audio can be found here.

Christian O’Connell: “We need to welcome to the show someone we’re really excited to be joining the show and our family as well. And that isn’t just me, Pats and Rio and the team here. It’s actually everyone who listens to the show and makes the show with us every day. Welcome to the show Alex Cullen.”

“[So] a genuine, big, warm-hearted welcome to the team, Alex. Everyone’s making you feel very welcome already. Already you’ve created a buzz, let me tell you why. When I came in this morning, a senior engineer [at ARN] pulls me aside and goes, ‘hey, Alex has been in since five am.’ Now for this team, this is already remarkable because a certain former team member never came in till like, well six am so already times are changing.”

Alex Cullen: “I’m very conscientious. You’ve got to be on your first day. There’s a lot going on.”

“Look, it’s wonderful to be here. Everyone’s been so lovely and friendly and welcoming. It’s a big move for us, as you will all well know. My girls are starting school this morning as well. So, it’s all happening in our family. But it’s wonderful to be here. We love this city. We’ve been here for a week.”

“The girls, the twins are six and they’re starting term three today here in Melbourne. It’s a totally new school in a new city. They’re in the same class, which is really lovely.”

ON THE DRIVE DOWN FROM SYDNEY

Alex Cullen: “The drive down was a nightmare, Christian. So, we’re sitting in the car about to go and one of the girls, Evie, just starts vomiting in the car and we’re like, really, is this happening right now? And then she’s just continuing to do that for most of the trip. Then about halfway, Audrey does the same.”

Christian O’Connell: “At any point, were you like, is this a sign of things to come? The vomiting as we leave Sydney.”

Alex Cullen: “[It’s like] that wonderful Bluey episode where they’re moving but they actually stay. But we’re not staying, we’re going!”

Christian O’Connell: “Yeah, if only you hadn’t lost that Channel Nine gig.”

Alex Cullen: “I just saw [the show] out the corner of my eye actually on one of the screens and I’m like, oh that’s interesting. How are they going this morning. Very good.”

ON HIS BLACK EYE

Christian O’Connell: “Now I just have to mention as well that you do appear to have a brand-new black eye. I mean, I know Melbourne’s a bit rough, and I’m really sorry in your first weekend you’ve already had a punch on.”

Alex Cullen: “I’ve come in here about it and bruised. And it was funny, we bought some walnuts from South Melbourne markets…we’re at the back of [our house] and we’re opening these walnuts.

“The kids love walnuts, and so there’s the shells everywhere throughout the backyard and I’m picking them up. Anyway, my kids are a million miles an hour, like proper million miles an hour, and so I’m meaning now to pick them up. Evie runs over and she starts picking them up, and then as I stand up, she takes off, and in that exact millisecond she has taken me out, smashing into my eye, my eye is full of blood. The girls are screaming.”

“She said to me last night, ‘Daddy, tomorrow on the show, you have to say that you were beaten up by a six-year-old.’”

Alex Cullen has more than two decades of experience across news and sport, bringing sharp insight, a quick wit and infectious energy to the top-rating breakfast show. He has worked across some of Australia’s major media networks, covering everything from international sporting events to major breaking news. His career began in regional radio before moving into television, and his passion for good storytelling has taken him around the world. A passionate advocate for brain cancer research, Alex is also a proud dad of three.

The Christian O’Connell Show has is one of Melbourne’s top performing breakfast shows, blending genuine connection, offbeat humour and great storytelling. Alex will bring daily sports updates along with his trademark warmth and perspective on all things footy, cricket, and beyond.

The Christian O’Connell Show can be heard from 6-9am weekdays on GOLD104.3.