The Australian newspaper reports: Veteran Melbourne broadcaster John Burns says he never wanted to leave his top-rating breakfast radio show on 3AW, but was pushed out by the station’s management. But eight months on, he can reveal he’s eyeing a comeback.
Speaking for the first time publicly since he exited the station in July last year, Burns has revealed he was told to “toe the corporate line” that he was retiring.
Burns and Ross Stevenson co-hosted Australia’s most successful radio program — the breakfast show on 3AW — for almost 20 years, notching up 147 consecutive ratings survey wins before Burns’ exit.
Burns said his contract wasn’t renewed with the station owned by Nine Entertainment; instead he was forced to leave and asked to publicly declare that he was in fact retiring of his own free will.
He was replaced by advertising businessman Russel Howcroft, who was best known for his appearances on ABC TV program Gruen.
Burns has vowed he will never work at the radio station again and hasn’t listened to the show since he left.
“The situation is I didn’t really retire, I had no intention of the ‘r’ word, retirement,” Burns told The Australian.
“They were terribly nice and I had this big send off, but on reflection, logically, I don’t know why they wanted me to end a successful 20 years on air.
“Everyone I have spoken to, other people in the industry from ex-management to current people, have all said they cannot work it out.”
But since his time out of the spotlight he’s enjoyed doing the things he loves, including having long lunches and playing golf, and is now considering fresh radio opportunities.
“I don’t want to fade away. I’m still alive,” Burns said from his home at Armadale in Melbourne’s inner southeast.
“There have been murmurings from people in the media that there might be a future possibility on air … which I would take.”
Media veteran Steve Price, a close friend of Burns for more than 30 years, said “he’s too clever to not be on air”.
“It was complete madness to make any change,” he said.
“We haven’t heard the last of John Burns on radio in Australia.
“We will probably hear him doing some stuff not just in Melbourne and it will probably be nationally.”
Burns turned 75 on July 30 last year and then finished up with 3AW the next day.
Just two days later Victoria was plunged into its stage four lockdown.
“I don’t want anything to do with 3AW ever again,” Burns said.
“On reflection I was a bit put out and unhappy about the way it all finished up.
“I woke up on the first of August and it was a feeling of emptiness, and ‘what was I going to do’.”
Burns said station’s management told him after he finished up he would be offered a role as a contributor and fill-in host but that never eventuated.
“I haven’t heard from them at all. I was going to knock it back anyway,” he said.
“As Sly (veteran crime journalist John Silvester) said to me at one stage, ‘you don’t go from the AFL to playing in the VFL’.”
The father of three sons — Ted, 46, Andy, 45, and Johnny, 39 — Burns said he planned to go and live in Sicily with wife Monique, 71, for three months after he finished up at the station but due to COVID-19 that didn’t happen.
A spokesman for Nine did not respond to questions from The Australian.
I really miss hearing John Burns on 3AW. Breakfast has never been the same. Russel hasn’t got the same vibe as John.
I can only think our beloved John Burns was axed to make way for an advertising guru who the networked thought would bring in the advertising $s. I find the whole situation intriguing and have never understood why Kate Stevenson was “let go” in the same year.
Good luck Burnso.
I loved Mohn. Ur , I don’t listen to Breakfast hardly anymore, as I can’t stand Russell’s giggling all the time
It’s like when hinch got booted , it’s shady deals behind the scenes Tom Elliot bragged to his mates hinch would be off soon and he’s a wet blanket, I wonder who Russel has been sleeping with ?
It’s like when hinch got booted , it’s shady deals behind the scenes Tom Elliot bragged to his mates hinch would be off soon and he’s a wet blanket, I wonder who Russel has been sleeping with ?
I never listen anymore. Russ giggles at nothing and I never liked Ross as much as John. Big mistake 3AW.
Typical channel 9 John Burns 100 times better that Russell Howcroft and His voice pronunciation is pathetic…Extremely poor decision from Channel.
I only like to hear the news and rumour file. The rest is a lot of waffle and laughing and giggling about nothing. Even the rumour file, Ross and Russell interrupt continually. Rather listen to ABC or 3MP.
I agree 1000 %.
I’ve listened to Ross & John for 20 years & even though I live overseas I still listened to them. I stopped as soon as John was booted. He didn’t really retire.
Ross is a yes man other guy not the same as John.
Have,nt listened since he left.
Russ inane giggles drove me to 2gb breakfast.
I loved the way Ross and John would bounce off each other.. the show has lost something. I also have moved to ‘2gb for the first hour or so. Come back John.
Have to agree. John gave something to the show that has not been successfully replaced. Ross and Russ are too similar when opposites are more interesting to me.
An example of how to drive your audience to another station…last Saturday mid to dawn the Sydney announcer gave 8 segments on the increase tolls for the Sydney harbour bridge……John Burns is but another example of management stupidity…Howcroft will bring down an ratings
I find Russell and his giggling very annoying but that is all he gets to do as Ross never shuts up he talks over any one that has anything to say. It’s time for a change Jackie Felgate and Jimmy Bartel are a breath of fresh air whenever they are on. The other two are forever on holidays anyway.
I wish John well and enjoyed the banter between he and Ross but I’m really loving the Ross and Russ combination and consider Russ a very intelligent replacement.
A stupid move by 3aw, I find Russ very boring , Ross and John were fabulous, I listened for a few days with Russ and stopped and never listened again, which is a shame because I love listening to Ross but Russ is so bland and uninteresting , they just do not gel , foolish mistake by the station.
Russel Howcroft has a moronic laugh and is very annoying. He is constantly laughing at nothing. Doesn’t managed hear his stupid laugh at nothing and why hasn’t anyone pointed it out to him that he sounds like an idiot. My husband gets so frustrated at his stupid laugh that he turns the radio off. Please make him stop .
An example of how to drive your audience to another station…last Saturday mid to dawn the Sydney announcer gave 8 segments on the increase tolls for the Sydney harbour bridge……John Burns is but another example of management stupidity…Howcroft will bring down am breakfast ratings if he continues
3AW have made a huge mistake taking John Burns off and replacing him with boring Russell Howcroft all he does is giggle no bantering – made move 3AW – don’t listen to them any more moved to another station, I know that nothing will change management have made up their mind. Only listen to Denis Walter, Simon Owens pn Saturday and Simon and Phillip Brady. Management take heed of the comments don’t ignore them.
I had no idea what 3aw management did to John.
It’s all about making more money. for management.
I still listen to Ross and Russ and they are great but Ross and John were the best.
All the best to you John
3aw are crazy letting john burns go and also what happened to the twilight zone with ox and Marco surely that’s more entertaining than what’s for diner sat and Sunday afternoons
Been an avid Listener since Blackman and Bruce Mansfield filled the breakfast shift. Even liked Bill Tuckey. But Dean Banks and John Burns were enjoyable to to the Max. Sadly how hard I try I’m having trouble listening to Russell. Sounds to wooden to me. Any just my opinion.
3aw are crazy letting john burns go and also what happened to the twilight zone with ox and Marco surely that’s more entertaining than what’s for diner sat and Sunday afternoons
Typical. So sick of 3 aw not listening to their audience. Ross and John made my day and I haven’t listened since. It makes me very sad that John Burns was pushed, such an intelligent, funny guy.
Well, all I can say is dumb. While that new guy R Howcroft does ok on the ABC’s visual medium in a panel situation, for radio he just does not have the timing. John Walter sounded so natural when interacting with Ross PLUS Walter had a certain panache and distinctive tone when he spoke. A bit of polish which rounded off the knock about Ross nicely. From an intonation perspective there is also no distinguishing the two Rs, which makes for an extremely befuddled listening experience . I have only tuned into 3AW breakfast maybe twice (max 2 minutes) since Walter finished. Should Channel 9 wish to draw on my insights for other 3AW programs, I am available.
Who the heck is John Walter?
Surely, you mean John Burns.
I cannot stand Russel Howcroft – the giggle and the leftie inferences – what a shocker – I presume BURNSO was too much to the right for the new Nine!!! Also would never trust Ross to be loyal – only to himself!!! Never listen anymore.
I always listened to Ross & John on 3aw, it’s not the same without John so l stopped listening. Russ just giggles and has no sense of humour.
John you were amazing and are terribly missed.
I searched for John Burns because I miss his radio. I switched to 3aw after all my friends bragged about this great pair John & Ross. It was enough taht Covid made radio so important in our lives. Where is he to be ?? Love it all still especially Tony after middnight,
Loved Ross and John, can’t stand Russel’s giggle and voice. He has not got the ability to bounce off Ross or add a funny comment. Bring back John, admit you made a mistake. Now don’t care to listen to breakfast radio.
Interesting that the broadcaster referred to as “the voice of reason” gets moved on!
3AW, dollars have blunted your senses and lost you credibility, not to mention listeners.
Gave the new combination a brief try, became a battle between two egotists that I couldn’t find entertaining-turned off after listening to 3aw breakfast since John Blackman and Bruce Mansfield and will never return- become as related to real people as the rubbish served up on commercial TV
Russ! stop the putting on stupid voices when live reading the ads! the giggle needs to stop. Also you have no common sense to real people’s opinions. Don’t ask stupid questions of the guests on the program. If you haven’t noticed every time Russ asks a guest a question from his own thoughts the guest just states NO!
Thinking each morning about changing to 2gb!
I absolutely agree I only listen to Dennis Walter and Simon i as well stupid move they’ve made 3AW
Have tried to give John and Russel a good go but I find I am not as interested anymore as I miss the formula with Ross and John. The formula with Ross and John is just not as attention grabbing. Have moved away most mornings now.
I hate doing this but cannot hold back any longer!!!
Russell Howcroft, PLEASE stick to doing whatever you do on the ABC..you are perfectly suited from what I’ve heard from you on 3aw.
1. You giggle like a sexually frustrated 15yr old schoolboy
2. You continually interupt both guests and callers with innane questions and extremely stupid comments.
3. The false voice you put on whilst doing adverts is excruciatingly embarrassing.
4. Even Ross ignores some of your “weird” comments which you insist on making…Russell, sometimes it is better to be thought a fool rather than open your mouth and prove it beyond all doubt.
Ross (or previously John) may have the perfect heads for Radio but you certainly do NOT have the personality!!
Mate, go back to whatever you do on the ABC and leave a popular radio programme to people who know what they are doing!!
PS…Maybe there are some openings for the failed chanell 7 show “the Project. Perfect fit for you I reckon!!
I totally agree with every thing you so beautifully detailed. I find that that childish giggling from howcroft as annoying as the blind factory and ES trading commercials.
I listen to 3AW a lot less than I used to..
Axe Ross who is rude and clueless and grammatically troubled. Couple Russel with John.
Stupid move by 3AW I feel perhaps Ross might have been feeling a bit of pressure from John as he never used to talk over John like he does Russell ,so much for Loyalty between Ross and John. It’ll be interesting to see if Ross does the same to Russ very disappointing, like others have moved to another station.
I loved listening to Ross and John…I thought they made a good team. I was very shocked to hear he was leaving 3AW. I listened for week with Russ and na…not the same. So no more 3AW morning listening for me.
Can’t stand brekky since Burnso was let go.Ross’s ego has no bounds and Russ is pathetic at keeping him relevant
I totally agree with most of the previous comments. The original program with John and Ross was my favourite for so long. I was so disappointed when John “retired” and try as I may, I just cannot connect with the “Ross and Russ” show. The main problem is Russel, but there has also been a huge change in the way Ross now delivers. On top of this is the fact that he now talks so fast that I struggle to follow at times. Now it seems the only thing that holds me on morning radio is the news and traffic reports
As much as I would like to be listening to John Burns on AW in the morning it will never happen, the bridge has been burnt. I still listen in the mornings but all I can imagine with whats going on with the new pairing is… Russ sits on Ross’s knee like a puppet.. or a Gerry Gee doll & is only allowed to speak when Ross has to take a breath before he passes out through lack of oxygen. Ross has his hand up Russ’s back somehow & controls the comments & giggles as what suits Ross and dare Russ say anything out of order. OMG…no.
Agree with most of the above. Yes to Ross and John. Big No to Ross and Russ. AND now with the new 3AW line up that’s me finished with 3AW.
I have listened from Ross and Dean but I cant take Russell his stupid laugh he just hasn’t got it I don’t listen anymore
Ive also listened since Ross and Dean, and though Russell is giving it a go, he should stick to TV. Radio, especially talk radio, is a special medium as anyone in or around would know – the audience can hear when the presenters aren’t working together … I’m sorry but it’s just not Breakfast radio.