In an almost unprecedented event for the station, beloved radio presenter Amanda Keller was absent from her usual slot on Gold FM's Jonesy and Amanda breakfast show on Monday. The 63-year-old star, a fixture of the airwaves for two decades, was forced to take a sick day, a rarity in her stellar career.
A Rare Absence from the Airwaves
Her co-host, Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones, 57, broke the news to listeners at the start of the broadcast. "I would say good morning to Amanda but poor Amanda is unwell. She's got a runny tummy," he revealed, explaining that she was at home and tucked up in bed. The team showed their support by sending over some flat lemonade to aid her recovery.
Brendan was quick to emphasise just how unusual this occurrence was. "For the record, this is Amanda's second sick day in 20 years," he stated. He clarified that the only other day she had taken off was for a hip replacement, which a producer pointed out wasn't truly a sick day. When questioned about his own record, Brendan admitted he was similarly reliable, citing a 2014 motorcycle accident as his only notable absence.
In Amanda's absence, the show's director, Jacinda Gugliemino, suggested airing a 'best-of' compilation. However, the dedicated Brendan decided to soldier on alone, declaring the idea "lame" and opting to helm the live show himself, promising plenty of music from artists like Farnham and Rick Astley.
Looking Ahead: A Major Schedule Shake-Up
Amanda's rare day off comes shortly after she and Brendan addressed a significant change for their popular show. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the duo, who have hosted the breakfast slot since 2005, will be moving to the drive-time shift (4-6pm) in 2026, with Christian O'Connell taking over the breakfast reins.
Speaking to News Corp, Amanda admitted the news was initially "a kick to the ego," especially following a period of successful ratings. However, she has since warmed to the idea, expressing relief at the prospect of a less frenetic schedule compared to the "voracious" demands of breakfast radio.
The pair announced the change on-air back in August, vowing to drag their loyal listeners "kicking and screaming" with them to the new time slot. Amanda assured fans, "As long as you guys come with us and listen to us in drive, all is right with the world," marking an exciting new chapter for the enduring radio partnership.
