Axed Adelaide Hosts ‘Blindsided’ by Nova Replacements in Keith Urban Scandal

Hayley Pearson and Max Burford were reportedly ‘blindsided’ after their radio show was axed earlier this week.

The Mix 102.3 breakfast hosts, who have helmed Hayley & Max in the Morning since the beginning of the year, assumed they’d be on the airwaves in 2026.

However, the radio duo were dumbfounded when station executives broke the news on Monday, an insider has told The Advertiser. 

The source, who is said to be close to Hayley, told the publication that national bosses had reached out to the breakfast host in the weeks leading up to the axing to congratulate her on ‘doing such a great job’. 

Despite not signing a deal for 2026, she and Max were convinced that they were a shoo-in for next year’s lineup. 

‘(Hayley) thought (the station) was happy with what they were doing and that they were going ahead next year; they had no idea what was coming on Monday,’ the insider claimed.

Hayley Pearson and Max Burford (both pictured) were ‘blindsided’ after their radio show was axed earlier this week

The show set tongues wagging in July after Keith Urban (pictured) hung up mid-interview following a question about his now-former wife Nicole Kidman

‘They just got told the station is going in a new direction right after the show had finished.’

Now, it has been revealed that the duo will be replaced by former Nova stars Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton, who were previously on the Late Drive program. 

What’s more, the station is now being rebranded as KIIS 102.3.

Australian Radio Network (ARN) revealed on Monday that Hayley & Max in the Morning would air on Mix102.3 in Adelaide for the last time on December 12.

The show set tongues wagging in July after Keith Urban hung up mid-interview following a question about his now-former wife Nicole Kidman.

The rocker was in good spirits as he chatted to the hosts, revealing that it’s ‘always a good time’ performing in Adelaide, where the radio show is based.

However, when Keith agreed to play the show’s signature game Wall of Truth, things seemed to take a turn for the worse.

‘What does Keith Urban think when he sees his beautiful wife with beautiful younger men like Zac Efron, having these beautiful love scenes on TV?’ Max asked, which was met with complete silence.

Now, it has been revealed that the duo are being replaced by former Nova stars Ben Harvey (left) and Liam Stapleton (right), who were previously on the Late Drive program

The crew soon realised they had offended Keith, who had left the call.

‘His team hung up on us as they didn’t want us to ask that question,’ one person could be heard saying.

‘I thought we were vibing with Keith… Do we have beef with Keith Urban now?’ Max joked at the time.

Fast forward to this week, ARN shared a statement to Mediaweek revealing that the decision to say goodbye to Hayley & Max in the Morning was part of a bigger plan to differentiate the station from its competitors.

‘In 2026, the station will launch a new live and local breakfast show as part of a refreshed whole station strategy focused on bolder content and bigger moments that really set the station apart,’ a representative said.