A popular star of Hope 103.2 FM, a Christian radio station based in Sydney’s west has quit.
Breakfast host Ally Barnes told listeners in an emotional announcement on Tuesday she was hanging up the mic to spend more time with her family.
Barnes, who started at the station as an events coordinator, has been working on the early shift as a presenter with co-host Brendan Jaensch since 2021.
Before taking the on-air role, the married mother of two boys became the breakfast show’s first producer in 2016 reported Radio Today.
‘I’m finishing up at the end of this week,’ an emotional Barnes announced during the breakfast show on Tuesday.
‘I have cried more in the last four weeks than in my entire life put together but I know that this is the right decision,’ she continued.
‘Unfortunately my energy for the people who matter most in my life just isn’t there.
‘In the afternoons and evenings I am just exhausted.
Hope FM’s breakfast host Ally Barnes – pictured – told listeners on Tuesday she was hanging up the mic to spend more time with her family
‘After seven years of being part of the Breakfast show, and a 3.50am alarm clock, I’m tuckered out. And my husband and beautiful sons are not getting the best version of me.’
Barnes said was keen to make lunches for her boys and ‘do school drop offs’ and stay up to 10pm watching TV series with her husband.
She added: ‘I feel such sadness and grief about leaving. But I have a total sense of peace and conviction that this is the right move for my family.’
The popular star of 103.2 FM has been with the Christian radio station since 2016
Barnes started off as events and promotions coordinator before becoming the Hope FM’s first breakfast producer in 2016
Barnes started at the Hope FM in 2016 as events and promotions manager.
She is married to husband Sean and the couple share two young sons.
Hope FM, meanwhile, debuted as 2CBA in 1979, a community radio station based in the Sydney suburb of Five Dock.
It switched to the FM band after relocating operations to Seven Hills in 2002 and in 2008 it was rebranded as Hope FM.
Barnes shares two boys with husband Sean (all pictured)
