Sharnelle Vella exits ABC Melbourne breakfast as radio exodus continues

Journalist leaves co-host role after less than two years, following Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little departures

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

Respected journalist Sharnelle Vella has informed ABC management she will not return to co-host Melbourne's breakfast radio show, sources said, extending a shake-up in Australian commercial and public radio.

Vella, who joined former AFL star Bob Murphy in January 2025, has been on maternity leave since the birth of her daughter Eve in March. Five sources with knowledge of her departure, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Vella told management in recent days she wanted to take a different path. ABC Melbourne staff were informed on Thursday that Vella was leaving.

The breakfast program faced intense scrutiny from the start. Ratings dropped sharply, drawing heavy media criticism. In March 2025, Murphy apologised on air to Vella after making a "gross" joke about her working at a strip club. The show made headlines again the following month when Murphy overslept and missed most of the first hour. By March this year, the ABC's overall Melbourne radio share had fallen to 5.4 percent, the largest drop of any station, with breakfast, afternoon, drive and evening shows all losing share.

Listeners responded warmly, however, when Vella announced her pregnancy after four years of IVF. "Our journey to get here hasn't been easy," she said at the time. "We hope our story can offer hope to others navigating endometriosis and infertility."

Vella's departure follows the announcement this week that Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little will end their national drive show on the Hit Network after a decade, and the KIIS drive show hosted by Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw is also finishing at year's end.

Richelle Hunt joined ABC breakfast in March 2026 as Vella's maternity cover. It is unclear whether Hunt will stay in the role next year. Vella and the ABC were contacted for comment but did not respond.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The departure removes a high-profile co-host from a breakfast slot the ABC has struggled to stabilise since 2023.
It adds to a wave of radio talent exits across commercial and public networks, potentially reshaping Melbourne's morning and drive schedules.
The ABC must now decide whether to install Richelle Hunt permanently or recruit a new co-host for Bob Murphy.

Background

Vella joined ABC Melbourne's breakfast show in January 2025 after leaving Channel Seven, where she was a leading reporter. She and Murphy took over from comedian Sammy J, inheriting a shift under constant ratings pressure. The show's early months were marked by on-air gaffes and poor audience numbers, though it recovered somewhat before Vella's maternity leave. The broader radio market in Melbourne has seen several long-running programs end this year.

Key Perspectives

ABC management: Has not commented publicly, but faces a decision on the breakfast lineup for 2027. The network's overall Melbourne share dipped during Vella's absence. Industry observers: May view Vella's exit as part of a broader trend of talent moving away from traditional radio, with Bickmore, Little and the Will & Woody show also bowing out. Listeners: The audience that responded positively to Vella's personal story may be disappointed, while critics of the show's early ratings struggles may see an opportunity for change.

What to Watch

Whether Richelle Hunt is confirmed as permanent co-host or a new search begins.
Any further departures from ABC Melbourne's other shifts or from commercial stations as the year ends.
Audience and ratings data for the breakfast slot in early 2027 after the changes take effect.

Sources

Sharnelle Vella quits ABC breakfast as radio exodus continues · Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Sharnelle Vella quits ABC breakfast as radio exodus continues · Brisbane Times - Latest News
Sharnelle Vella quits ABC breakfast as radio exodus continues · WA Today - Latest News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedSharnelle Vella is exiting ABC Melbourne’s breakfast show as the radio exodus continues.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Sharnelle Vella is exiting as co-host of ABC Melbourne’s breakfast radio show.”
SupportedVella leaves the co-host role after less than two years.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Vella joined the breakfast show alongside former AFL star Bob Murphy in January 2025”
Partly supportedBickmore and Little had already departed their show when Vella’s departure followed theirs.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “They will exit the Hit Network after a decade on air at the end of the year.”
SupportedVella told ABC management she would not return to co-host the show.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “five sources with knowledge of her departure, but not authorised to speak publicly, revealed Vella had informed management in recent days that she would like to take a different path.”
Partly supportedFive sources spoke on condition of anonymity about Vella’s departure.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “five sources with knowledge of her departure, but not authorised to speak publicly”
SupportedABC Melbourne staff were informed on Thursday that Vella was leaving.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The sources said ABC Melbourne staff were informed on Thursday that Vella was departing.”
Partly supportedVella and Murphy’s ratings dropped sharply, drawing heavy media criticism.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The pair endured a baptism of fire as their ratings dropped, sparking a storm of media criticism.”
Partly supportedMurphy apologised after making a “gross” joke about Vella working at a strip club.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “In March 2025, Murphy had to apologise to Vella on air for making a “gross” joke that insinuated that she had once worked at Melbourne strip club Spearmint Rhino.”
SupportedVella said, “Our journey to get here hasn't been easy.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““Our journey to get here hasn’t been easy, but we’re grateful for the support of our loved ones and friends.”
SupportedVella said, “We hope our story can offer hope to others navigating endometriosis and infertility.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “We hope our story can offer hope to others navigating endometriosis and infertility,” she said.”
Partly supportedVella announced her pregnancy after four years of IVF.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Vella announced she and her husband, Nicholas Koutrigaros, were expecting their first child after four years of trying and numerous rounds of IVF.”
SupportedBickmore and Little’s national Hit Network drive show will end after a decade.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Vella’s exit continues the shake-up underway in the local radio market, with Carrie Bickmore and comedian Tommy Little calling time on their Carrie & Tommy national drive show on Wednesday. ... They will exit the Hit Network after a decade on air at the end of the year.”