Just weeks after being shown the door at Nova 919, Adelaide’s radio duo Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton look set to make a sensational comeback – this time on Mix 102.3.
Industry insiders say the pair are tipped to be unveiled as the FM station’s new breakfast show hosts on Wednesday, replacing axed presenters Hayley Pearson and Max Burford in 2026.
The move comes after a turbulent few months for Harvey and Stapleton, whose Late Drive show at Nova – co-hosted with Belle Jackson – was abruptly cancelled last month.
Their final Nova show was meant to air on December 12, but staff were informed they had left immediately.
It’s not yet clear whether Jackson will join them in their new gig.
Harvey and Stapleton first joined the Nova Network in 2020, taking over Adelaide’s breakfast slot before relocating to Melbourne in early 2023.
Just weeks after being shown the door at Nova 919, Adelaide’s radio duo Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton look set to make a sensational comeback – this time on Mix 102.3
There, they added longtime producer Jackson and replaced Chrissie Swan, Jonathan Brown and Sam Pang in the high-profile timeslot.
The trio returned to Adelaide in July, broadcasting from Nova’s Hindmarsh Square studios.
Pearson and Burford, who currently host Mix’s breakfast show, were set to finish up on December 12 but left immediately upon being notified of their axing.
They recently placed fourth in the city’s latest radio ratings, trailing behind Triple M, Nova 919 and FIVEaa.
The Australian Radio Network (ARN) has indicated the new lineup will keep the focus local.
‘This next phase will deliver differentiated and bolder live content, bigger moments with a strong connection to Adelaide; a step-change in how we entertain and engage audiences,’ ARN’s Chief Audience and Content Officer Lauren Joyce said.
Harvey and Stapleton’s rise from students at Sean Craig Murphy’s Australian Radio School to FM mainstays is a classic radio success story.
They started at Fresh FM, moved through Triple J, and then onto Nova, honing the charisma that now has Mix betting on them to revive its breakfast ratings.
Industry insiders say the pair are tipped to be unveiled as the FM station’s new breakfast show hosts on Wednesday, replacing axed presenters Hayley Pearson and Max Burford in 2026. Pictured
The move comes after a turbulent few months for Harvey and Stapleton, whose Late Drive show at Nova – co-hosted with Belle Jackson – was abruptly cancelled last month
The station has had a mixed history in the timeslot, cycling through talent including Kym Dillon, Ali Clarke and Jodie Oddy over the past two decades.
Clarke’s 2022 breakfast show failed to capture the top spot, leaving an opening that Harvey and Stapleton are expected to seize.
All will be officially revealed at ARN’s Upfronts event on Wednesday, but Adelaide radio fans are already buzzing at the prospect of the city’s favourite duo returning to mornings on a new station.
Earlier this week, it was revealed another radio show was axed from the airwaves, marking the second program in the last week to get the boot.
ARN revealed on Monday that Hayley & Max in the Morning was being scrapped.
The show, which has been hosted by Max Burford and Hayley Pearson since the beginning of the year, 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 took 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 silence.
The crew soon realised they had offended Keith, who had left the call.
‘I thought we were vibing with Keith… Do we have beef now?’ Max joked at the time.
