Veteran Australian comedian Dave Woodhead has strongly indicated that the upcoming year will mark the end of his six-year tenure with national youth broadcaster Triple J.
A Telling Social Media Reveal
The popular radio host broke the news subtly in a social media post on Sunday. He shared a photograph of a personal checklist for the year ahead, which included ambitious goals like 'make the 2026 Hottest 100 the biggest ever', 'host a telethon', and 'meet Delta Goodrem'.
However, it was the final item on his list that sparked immediate speculation among his followers. The note 'Find a new job' strongly suggests he does not plan to return to the station in 2027.
"Damn it feels good to be back with you tomorrow from 12-3 on Triple J lunch. Big show. Big announcement. Biiiiig 2026," Woodhead wrote alongside the image, all but confirming the impending conclusion of his popular lunchtime show.
Listener Reaction and a Legacy of Cheeky Banter
Shocked fans quickly took to online forums like Reddit to discuss the potential departure. Many praised his unique style and contribution to the station.
"At least he gave a year's notice. For me, always enjoyable, fun sense of humour, combined with a little bit of chaos mixed in, and is pretty engaged with the music IMO," one listener commented.
Another added, "Six years is a good innings. I hope he has a killer final year and wish him all the best," while a third simply stated, "Shame. Definitely one of the better presenters."
During his time on air, Woodhead built a dedicated audience with his cheeky on-air banter and amusing, often unpredictable, song selections.
A Pattern of Presenter Burnout?
This news follows another high-profile departure from the Triple J family. Former breakfast host Bryce Mills stepped down from his role in June 2024, citing burnout and mental health concerns.
In a heartfelt Instagram update in December – his first in seven months – Mills revealed he had been navigating challenging personal issues. He noted, however, that some physical symptoms of his previous burnout, like random eye twitching and vertigo, had faded since leaving the high-pressure radio job.
"It's been a year since I quit my safe and financially predictable radio job – a decision that was always going to be a leap of faith," Mills wrote. He expressed a cautious optimism about rediscovering his creative passions after completing a documentary project.
While Woodhead's reasons for a potential exit remain unconfirmed, the back-to-back announcements from two prominent presenters highlight the demanding nature of roles within the fast-paced youth media landscape.
