KIIS FM presenters Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley broke down on Friday as they gave an emotional farewell to their co-star Mitch Churi, during his final show with them.
The normally upbeat radio presenters shared a gallery of precious photos to Instagram, which captured the sweet farewell party they hosted for their long-time co-host of their drive time show The Pick Up.
Mitch. 28, announced live on-air last month he had been informed by KIIS FM management his contract would not be renewed, sending shockwaves across the network.
Laura, 38, and Brittany, 37, were seen putting on a brave face as they posed alongside a beaming Mitch, who held a bouquet of flowers, at his farewell party at the KIIS FM studio in Sydney.
They captioned the gallery with some heartfelt words: ‘Today is our last show of the year and our last as a trio with the amazing, hilarious, spectacular, hot walking human Mitch Churi.
‘It has been one of the biggest privileges of my career to sit across the desk from this funny man. We are all so proud of you Mitch and will be front row of your stand up show in 2025 (no backing out now).
KIIS FM presenters Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley broke down on Friday as they gave an emotional farewell to their co-star Mitch Churi, during his final show with them. All pictured
‘We love you Mitch,’ they added.
Last month, Mitch broke down live on-air as he confirmed to listeners he had been sacked from the network.
The radio star, who co-hosted The Pick Up drive time show alongside Laura and Brittany, became emotional as he revealed the heartbreaking news to his co-stars.
‘Late last week I was informed by the powers that be that they have identified my role here as one that won’t be returning in 2025,’ Mitch began.
Mitch then revealed he was blindsided by the decision and he wished it had not come to this.
‘I just want to say it wasn’t my decision or my call. I really wanted to stay on the show with you two. I really wanted to stay with KIIS.’
Co-star Laura Byrne jumped in to say she and Laura fully supported Mitch and wished him all the best for the future.
‘This is not what we want for the show. It’s a decision that has been made out of our control. Britt and I have to continue on doing the show without you and we are utterly devastated,’ Laura said.
The normally upbeat radio presenters shared a gallery of precious photos to Instagram, which captured the sweet farewell party they hosted for their long-time co-host of their drive time show The Pick Up
Mitch had co-hosted The Pick Up with Laura and Brittany since 2019
‘You are not only our co-host, but also one of our best friends,’ Brittany chipped in.
He had hosted The Night Show with Mitch Churi since 2019, and co-hosted The Pick Up with Brittany and Laura.
The shock axing of the beloved radio star is said to have worried staff across ARN – who employed Mitch at KIIS FM – and radio stars at rival networks too.
‘No one is safe. Mitch’s shows being cancelled is a stark reminder the industry is dying,’ an insider told Pedestrian.
‘If ARN’s only homegrown talent gets cut like this, there is zero hope for the future of the industry.’
Mitch declined to comment to Daily Mail Australia when contacted about the issue.
Former radio executive Craig Bruce said on his Game Changers Radio: Melbourne Radio Wars podcast: ‘You can understand it purely from a financial perspective.’
‘Let’s say Mitch is on $100,000 a year. ARN would be looking at that and going “okay, we have a breakfast show for the next 10 years on the KIIS network, so that’s locked in and we have a drive show… So why on earth would we spend any amount of money on a night talent if we’re not going to get a return on it?”‘
Bruce admitted: ‘If I was in that room, I would have voted for (Churi to be axed). I just can’t justify that wage right now on this current trajectory we’re on, which is a network that is going to have one or two shows and that’s it.’
