Following on from Ali Clarke revealing her breast cancer diagnosis to listeners earlier in the week, Mix102.3 can reveal that Hayley Pearson will be stepping in for Ali on Max and Ali in the Morning.
Hayley will be filling in for Ali while she is away from the show to undergo a mastectomy. At this stage it is unknown the length of Ali’s further treatment and recovery time.
Ali Clarke said, “I’ve known Hayley for years and when she left brekkie radio, she said she would never get up early again!”
“For her to come out of ‘retirement’ for me and our listeners fills me with joy. I could not have hoped for a better person to keep Max in line.”
Hayley Pearson is currently co-host of Channel 9’s HelloSA, co-creator of Adelady and has previously worked on breakfast radio including at Nova and SAFM.
Hayley continues, “The first thing I thought of was ALL the people Ali has helped over the years with a cancer diagnosis. She has been an absolute star to these people and their families and I know that everyone who knows her, loves her or listens to her on radio would drop everything just to help.
“I said I’d never do Brekky radio again, but the sisterhood is powerful and Ali is the only reason I’d come back, I will keep her seat warm while she heals.
Hayley’s mum was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago.
“I also have friends in their 30s and 40s currently undergoing treatment, so breast cancer is something really close to me — and coincidently a few days before I found out about Ali, we’d just raised over half a million dollars for breast cancer research here in SA.
“I’ve always said in radio ‘we’re not saving lives’ but by Ali being so raw and honest by sharing her story, she actually might!” Hayley concludes.
Max Burford said, “our listeners will know full well that Ali runs a tight ship. My ship is slightly less rigid and more prone to deviations. So it’s a great relief to have a pro like Hayley who can seamlessly fit in and keep the show pointing in the right direction while Ali fights the good fight.”
Hayley Pearson will be joining Max and Ali in the Morning from Monday 29 July.
