Basil Zempilas, 51, has announced that September 23 will be his last day as co-host of Perth‘s Triple M breakfast program.
Zempilas quit the job to focus on his role as Perth Lord Mayor and his other media commitments.
Zempilas joined Triple M two years ago at the beginning of the global Covid-19 pandemic, but he immediately came underfire for using the airwaves to advance his bid to become Perth’s Lord Mayor before winning the election in October 2020.
Basil Zempilas, 51, has announced that September 23 will be his last day as co-host of Perth’s Triple M breakfast program. He quit the job to focus on his role as Perth Lord Mayor and his other media commitments
‘Right now, I need more flexibility in my day and I’m very grateful Triple M have been so accommodating,’ he said this week.
‘It’s no secret I’ve been coming and going quite a bit over the last couple of months and between now and the end of the year there’s an extra step up in my travel commitments.
‘As much as I’d like to be in two places at once, the right call is to finish up at Triple M after the Grand Final weekend.’
Zempilas joined Triple M two years ago at the beginning of the global Covid-19 pandemic, but he immediately came underfire for using the airwaves to advance his bid to become Perth’s Lord Mayor before winning the election in October 2020. He is pictured here with his co-hosts Xavier Ellis and Michelle Anderson
Basil continued: ‘I do that knowing that in Michelle Anderson, I leave Xav and our fabulous audience, in the best of hands.
‘I’m very proud of the role I’ve played in the launch of a new station in Perth, it will give me great pleasure to watch the brand grow. I’ll always stay connected to Triple M.’
Xavier Ellis and Michelle Anderson will continue to co-host the breakfast show, with Basil’s replacement not yet confirmed.
Xavier and Michelle will continue to co-host the breakfast show, with Basil’s replacement not yet confirmed
2022 has been a year of change for Zempilas, who also stepped down from his full-time presenting role on Channel Seven, including co-hosting Weekend Sunrise.
Despite relinquishing his roles, he remains a sports presenter on the Seven network.
During Zempilas’s tenure at Triple M, the breakfast show reached No.7, attracting 6.4 per cent of listeners on the most recent radio ratings.
Triple M Perth Content Director, Tim Arnold paid tribute to Basil’s crucial role in helping to launch Triple M in Perth – owned by Southern Cross Austereo – which was previously Hit 92.9 and is now an established mainstream station.
‘He played such a crucial role in the launch of 92.9 Triple M,’ Mr. Arnold said.
‘It means Basil is, and will always be, a part of our DNA.
‘He has been the biggest champion of our station over the last two years, and I know he will continue to be a champion for us despite no longer being in the building every morning.’
Basil is pictured here with his wife Amy Graham. The couple, who married in 2009 in Greece, have two daughters, Chloe and Ava, and a son called Anthony
Source: | Dailymail.co.uk