What does Sea-FM’s Lee Dixon have in common with Zsa Zsa Gabor, Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Taylor and Larry King?
Not much, really, except they’ve all been married four or more times.
Even then, you’d have to accept that an on-air partnership is as solemn as matrimony. Fact is that while Lee is in a very firm and long-term off-air relationship, his on-air partnerships resemble a string of Hollywood style failed romances.
He’s had four breakfast co-hosts in five years…
There was Dayna who according to Lee “was supposed to be a boy.”
Tullia, “thank God I wasn’t her father teaching her how to drive.”
Kayden, “who can’t keep his Call of Duty addiction to himself.”
And Josh, “Mate, it’s OK if no one likes your selfie.”
Now there’s Jess Bennett. Prior to this, she’d worked in music stores, newspapers and in marketing before heading up the promotions department at LAFM / Chilli 90.1 in Launceston. She ended up on air a few times doing weekend shifts before the opportunity to join Lee in Devonport came up.
Could Jess be the “one?”
“We are loving it,” says Lee. “Jason Wolfgram (4CC) helped us build the show from scratch but is now at the hands of Dave Howard. We are getting great feedback from the community, clients and management.“
Still, no relationship is perfect. Having just celebrated one year on-air together, Jess has had enough to work out what annoys her about Lee.
“When we go to the kitchen to make coffee, Lee has a habit of shaking the milk carton. I don’t like that, there is no point to it.
“But I love that we have developed a form of non-verbal communication in such a short period of time. We can understand what each other are thinking with just a one look”, says Jess.
So, what drives Lee crazy about Jess?
“Jess annoys me when I use bad grammar on air. She has this look that shoots right through me, as if it isn’t cold enough in Tassie!
“On the other hand, it’s great to be working with someone who likes me on and off the air. We spend a fair bit of our home time drinking wine and yelling at The Bachelor together.”
Having had five co-hosts in five years, what keeps Lee going back for more?
“I love radio and everything that happens before the mics are switched on, as well as after, of course. If I can be a part of creating something that entertains, informs or sparks emotion with our listeners then I’m a happy man.
“I’ve also made some great mates along the way too, who will no doubt add me on Facebook one day.”
