One of the most versatile and intelligent presenters in Australia, Walleed Aly is leaving ABC RN.
The media release said of their Drive presenter, “Waleed has decided to pursue other opportunities next year.”
Normally that would mean ‘he’s been sacked and hasn’t a clue what he’s going to do next,’ but in Aly’s case it’s a question of how many offers he’ll turn down.
A broadcaster, author, academic – as well as rock musician and former AFL mascot – Waleed Ali has been the host of RN Drive since its inception in January 2012. With the support of a committed and dynamic production team, he has informed, surprised and entertained audiences across the country with a daily wrap featuring forensic interviews and playful segments such as The Drawing Room. He is also known as a regular on TEN’s The Project and a columnist for Fairfax pree and online.
“It’s one of the rarest privileges in the world to have the chance to build a show from nothing, to make a brand new mark on a station as revered as RN. There’s nothing I can say to do justice to it, and give RN due gratitude,” said Waleed.
“My three years on RN Drive have been some of the most enriching of my life. That is what happens when you work with such a formidable team and talk daily with such a sharp audience. I’m immensely proud of what we’ve built, and whatever the rest of my professional life holds, this experience will stand as a colossal landmark.”
Highlights from the program over the last three years include live broadcasts from Jakarta and the Oz Asia Festival in Adelaide, alongside many memorable encounters with performers and musicians, including Waleed’s tap dancing lesson in the studio.
“RN has been proud to showcase Waleed’s unique talent on one of its key gateway programs. We saw it as an exciting opportunity to give him a voice on a national network to explore topics of interest with influential decision makers across Australia’s political, cultural and intellectual spheres,” said Deborah Leavitt, RN’s Manager.
“His loyal listener base – and guests alike – have acknowledged, admired and enjoyed Waleed’s skilled interviewing and incisive mind. We will all miss him, and of course wish him every success in his future endeavours.”
RN Drive will continue to be broadcast from RN’s Melbourne studio in 2015. The program’s new presenter will be announced along with RN’s 2015 schedule later this year.