Tom Tilley departs triple j after 12 years for TV gig

Triple j is losing its Hack host, Tom Tilley, who will call time on his innings at the public broadcaster at year’s end.

Tilley spent eight years in the hosting chair at Hack, and twelve in total at triple j, and became known for his hard-hitting interview style and catchphrase ‘Let’s Talk’.

“Hack has taken me further than my wildest dreams, from a naive triple j listener in the paddocks of Mudgee to interviewing the country’s most powerful people,” he said.

“While grilling ministers live on radio was a lot of fun and often necessary, my proudest moments are our conversations about mental health. Allowing young people around Australia to open up, realise they’re not alone in their struggle and then push our politicians to do more, is something that brings me to tears when I think about it.

“Now after twelve years at triple j and eight years hosting Hack, it’s time to let another passionate young journo take the reins and for me to explore new exciting opportunities. From the bottom of my heart thank you to all the producers, reporters, managers, mentors, friends and family who’ve helped this country boy’s dreams come true.”

The host, who is also a touring member of Aussie band Client Liaison, has spent parts of 2019 working on Ten’s The Project as well as filling in on ABC Radio current affairs program PM.

He took to Facebook to reflect further on his radio journey, from his early start at the js crossing live to his heroes like Myf Warhurst and Robbie Buck, to his most recent work at The Project and a publishing deal with ABC Books to tell his own story.

“As a naive triple j listener growing up in Mudgee, I could never have imagined what’s played out. I would’ve been stoked with a job at Mudgee’s 1449am 2MG!”

Tilley had taken several extended breaks from hosting duties in the last couple of years, most recently mid-way through 2019 when Breakfast newsreader Alice Matthews, Hack reporter Avani Dias and The Feed presenter Laura Murphy-Oates each had stints hosting Hack in his place.

triple j are set to announce the new full-time Hack presenter for 2020 later this week.