ABC radio presenter steps down in surprise resignation

Host of the ABC Radio Sydney’s Drive program, Chris Bath, has resigned live on air during her Monday afternoon show.

Bath told listeners it had been a “big year” and “timing in life is a funny thing”.

“I’ve decided to step down from Drive to pursue some passion projects and different opportunities away from the news cycle that have been beckoning for years,” she said.

Bath named her successor as fellow ABC radio journalist Tom Oriti, who is hosting the ABC NewsRadio Breakfast program and Background Briefing on ABC Radio National.

Bath will move to a new Sunday morning program on ABC Radio Sydney.

“The new show will be an antidote to the relentlessness of the news cycle, celebrating people doing great things across NSW, and creating that sense of community that ABC local radio does so well,” Bath said.

The program will be heard from 10am to midday on Sundays.

Bath has been in the position since January, replacing Richard Glover, who stepped down at the end of last year following a 26-year tenure.

“Chris has done a remarkable job stepping into the Drive slot. It’s a testament to her warmth and talent that she’s been so embraced by our audience. I’m sure Sunday mornings will be all the richer for her presence,” ABC head of capital city networks Anthony Frangi said.

“Thomas is a wonderful talent and we’re excited to welcome him to ABC Radio Sydney Drive in the new year.”

Bath’s move comes just weeks after she departed Network Ten, where she had been fronting the weekend news bulletins since 2017.

The presenter reportedly left when contract negotiations broke down amid Ten’s cost-cutting.

Bath’s replacement by Oriti on Drive means ABC Radio Sydney’s key daytime slots are dominated by male voices: Craig Reucassel on Breakfast, Hamish McDonald on Mornings, and James O’Loughlin and Kathryn Robinson filling in for James Valentine on the afternoon show.

During the last radio ratings survey, Bath recorded a 0.6 per cent lift in audience share to take it to 6.2 per cent.

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