702 ABC Sydney management has reportedly been flooded with approaches from possible replacements for Angela Catterns on breakfast.
Among the hopeful contenders, reportedly, are several ex-ABC presenters who left for commercial radio, but are apparently having second thoughts and want to come back to the national broadcaster – especially with a plum breakfast role up for grabs.
ABC NSW Local Radio Manager, Roger Summerill, has told The Sunday Telegraph’s Sandra Lee:
“We’ve had a lot of applications from people who would like to be considered for the job from within the ABC, commercial radio and television, and people who haven’t worked in presenting programs.
“We will make somebody else a huge personality.
“It’s not the first time it’s happened. We found Angela, put her on the air and worked with her, and she became the person everybody loved. We’ll find someone.”
In the meantime, there is mounting speculation that 702’s afternoon presenter, James Valentine, will be appointed permanent replacement for Catterns.
Valentine, 43, is already in the chair as ‘temporary’ host, and appears to be firming to take the job on a full time basis.
ABC management reportedly believes Valentine’s warmth and quick wit make him a perfect successor. It is understood he is keen, but does have some reservations.
Valentine believes radio is all about fun and humour, not interviewing politicians etc.
It is understood management is also considering a rejig of the breakfast and morning shifts (Sally Loane), which would make them consistent with its Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide stations.
774 in Melbourne begins the day with Red Symons on breakfast until 7.45am. At 8.30, after news and ‘AM’, Jon Faine steps in and takes over the harder hitting news of the day.
ABC Local Radio head, Michael Mason, will not speculate on Valentine as the ‘preferred’ candidate, saying: “It’s too early to make that call. We’re looking at a whole range of people. He’s definitely one we’re considering, along with some other people as well.”
A range of presenters is expected to fill Valentine’s afternoon slot until he returns.
With two possible candidates to replace Catterns – Tony Squires and Rebecca Wilson – also signed by DMG, speculation centres on former Classic FM breakfast host, Clive Robertson, Valentine, drive host, Richard Glover, Radio 2 breakfast co-host, Ian Rogerson, former channel 7 presenter, Mark Warren, and Wendy Harmer, ex-2Day FM breakfast co-presenter. Harmer will be on 702 for a week from 4 July, filling in for Glover.