An Aussie TV and radio personality has quit a high-profile breakfast radio role live on air, effective immediately. Alex Cullen announced on Gold FM on Monday morning that he was leaving his position as sports reporter on The Christian O’Connell Show, ending a stint that began last year after he was removed from the Today show.
Cullen’s exit follows a turbulent period in his career. Channel 9 ended his contract after he accepted a $50,000 prize from billionaire Adrian Portelli, who had offered the money to the first presenter willing to publicly use his preferred nickname, “McLaren Man,” instead of “Lambo Guy.” Cullen later donated the money to charity. He has since continued working in television and currently presents the news on Channel 7 on weekday afternoons.
Explaining his decision to step away from breakfast radio, the 45-year-old said the move was driven by family commitments and the strain of managing two jobs. He said the past year had been enjoyable but hectic, while balancing early-morning radio duties with life at home and raising three young children. Cullen told listeners that ongoing conversations with his wife, Bonnie, led him to conclude that it was time to leave the early alarm clock behind and focus more on television and his family.
Christian O’Connell praised Cullen’s contribution to the program, saying it had been a joy to work with him. O’Connell also said he had long suspected Cullen might not stay in the role for very long because of the demands involved. He noted that Cullen was juggling two jobs while raising three children under the age of six, making the workload especially intense.
Cullen said his children were happy about the change, telling listeners that when he broke the news to them, they reacted with relief and excitement rather than disappointment. His departure will not result in a direct replacement for the sports segment. Instead, newsreader Patrina Jones will handle both the sports updates and general news for the show.
His exit comes only weeks after another familiar radio figure, Peter Deppeler, also known as Intern Pete from Kyle and Jackie O, joined The Christian O’Connell Show. The move marks another shift in the breakfast radio landscape and closes a brief but eventful chapter for Cullen, whose career has recently involved both controversy and change.
Cullen’s decision appears to be a lifestyle choice rather than a career setback, with his focus now shifting toward his television commitments and family life. While he leaves the radio role immediately, his on-air statement suggested he is stepping back on his own terms after a demanding year.
