After three incredible years on Mix 102.3, Ali Clarke has announced she is stepping away from breakfast radio.
Speaking on Max & Ali this morning, Ali shared her decision to embark on a new chapter, expressing gratitude to the Mix 102.3 team, the listeners, and her co-host, Max Burford.
Reflecting on her choice to hang up the headphones, Ali said this morning “It’s really hard to say now probably even harder to accept as well, but I was offered the opportunity to continue on and it’s really hard to say no to something like that because I love this.
“I love nothing more than connecting with people, and I love radio so much”, Ali told co-host Max about the decision.
“I understand the privilege it is to be invited into someone’s home or their car or their life just to and maybe have the massive fortune of making them feel good or a little bit less alone, or even give them a cheap laugh like we do.
Ali’s time with Mix 102.3 has been nothing short of remarkable, but for Ali, a couple of highlights stand out. Helping terminally-ill schoolboy Sammy fulfil his dream of becoming a police officer, a huge feat that culminated in Max & Ali shutting down the city and putting on a massive Guy Sebastian concert just for little Sammy.
She also led a heartwarming effort to help good friend Mel Dzelde and her family deal with a terminal cancer diagnosis. The outpouring of love not only raised much-needed funds to help her partner Chris Dzelde through an incredibly tough time, but also led to the one and only Oprah Winfrey reaching out to send her love.
Ali’s personal story also inspired the creation of MIX Breast Check Day, a national campaign encouraging listeners to prioritise their health by performing monthly self-checks—a cause close to Ali’s heart after her own breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
While Ali steps away, her co-host Max Burford will continue with Mix 102.3’s Breakfast Show in 2025. Ali proudly told Mix listeners that “Local Radio is here to stay in Adelaide and Max will be with you and the rest of the team are going to be working their butts off.”
As for what’s on the cards next year, Ali is taking suggestions. So far, the top suggestions are: Mystery Shopper, Anko Ambassador or Full-Time Hugh Jackman Paparazzo.
Hear the full announcement from Ali here:
