What's New
BY Sarah Patterson May 20, 2026
What's New February 11, 2025
John Dean prepares to sign off from Cruise 1323 Breakfast
Reporter
He’s known as a true gentleman of the airwaves. One of the “nice guys” of Adelaide radio. A familiar and trusted voice that generations of listeners have woken up to.
Now, legendary broadcaster John Dean is set to sign off from Cruise 1323 Breakfast in March, marking the end of an incredible chapter in Adelaide radio.
For more than 20 years, John has been a valued member of the Cruise team, with his signature segment Good Morning John Dean becoming a familiar part of Adelaide mornings.
The phrase has now become a greeting that follows him wherever he goes, with listeners regularly welcoming him with his famous catchphrase.
Throughout his five-decade career, John’s impact has stretched far beyond the studio.
From his early days in the 70s as “Lean Dean,” he quickly became a popular figure in radio. There was also a memorable stint as the voice-over guy on TV’s Wheel of Fortune.
In the late 70s, John made a memorable first impression on Alice Cooper, greeting him at Adelaide Airport by leaping out of a coffin dressed as Dracula.
Then there was the time at the casino when he took advantage of being mistaken for actor Alan Rickman, charming the bar staff with a fake English accent and securing free drinks in the process.
John says “Most people retire at 65 – I’ve been fortunate to do something I love and to still be on air at almost 75. It’s been incredible to see Cruise evolve from when it first launched in 2005 to where it is today, and I’ve been lucky to share that journey with such a loyal audience.”
John’s departure comes as part of a broader change in direction for Cruise 1323 and the GOLD Network, with Sue Carter, Head of Content – GOLD Network, acknowledging his impact: “John has made an extraordinary contribution to Cruise and to radio in Adelaide. His warmth, professionalism, and dedication to his audience have been second to none.
“We thank him sincerely for his years of service and wish him the very best in the future , he is an immense talent.”
While he is leaving his Breakfast role, John will remain with Cruise as a standby announcer.
John’s final show will air on Friday, March 7, with the station planning a fitting farewell. An announcement regarding his replacement will be made in the coming weeks.
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What's New
BY Sarah Patterson May 20, 2026
So sad. I’ve listened to John since the 70’s at 5KA. What a shame you’re letting him go. Probably will change stations without him
Definitely will miss listening to him in the mornings.
He is a true gentleman with great sense of humour.
We have chuckled over many of his jokes.
Thank you for the Music, John!
How on earth will Adelaideans do without your cheerful voice, jokes and good sense of humour, not to mention the music we can sing along to.
Very best wishes and thank you for all the memories.
Evelyn
We live in Echuca Vic and always tune into Cruise to listen to John. He certainly is one of the best Radio announcers that we have ever listened to. The great music we can get here in Melbourne but it is John that we have loved listening to.
Farewell John you will be missed and farewell Cruise 1323 as we will now tune into a Melbourne station.
SO SORRY to See John Dean go. Listening to his shows over the years has got me through many difficult times. He puts fun and humananity into it. Good Luck with Your Life Mr. John Dean. Blessings.
So sorry you have been let go.
Who knows what will happen to the radio station now?
No wait…. football. same as every other station , nothing for music lovers.
Will miss you John Dean. Good Luck.
Dear John I will definitely miss your voice on the radio each morning, but I wish you best wishes for your retirement from radio, as of today! Listened to you since very early years .
Your choice of music this morning has been so lovely, have thoroughly enjoyed it, you have great taste!
My husband John (Jack) & I met you & Sandra on Baltic Cruise in 2019 & you were a great host, we had a very special time. I have wanted to contact you & let you know that Jack actually passed away 1st December 2022 and I still miss him every day, but usually I found that your dulcet tones on radio every day were an actual comfort, each morning! Take care friend, maybe we will meet up someday, enjoy a very well earned retirement and cheers to lovely Sandra! Bye, Carolyn Thompson Tumby Bay SA
Thank you, John for the many years listening to you.
You have been with me every morning while driving to work then while working away on my computer at work – making my mornings so much better.
You will be sadly missed and wishing you all the very best for the future.
Will be looking forward to hearing your voice from time to time when are on the air.
Absolutely gutted I won’t be hearing John Dean in the mornings. I love turning on the radio at work and being greeted by his smooth/velvety voice every day! To me John Dean is radio!
It won’t be the same without him!
Grew up with John Dean and now listen to him even though I’m living in Hobart. Won’t be the same without him!
You will be sadly missed I loved the morning show so thank you for all your time on radio Enjoy your retirement
Kind regards Jane
Sorry,John Dean, to hear you’ve left Cruise 1323. If the station wants to head in another direction, I think it will be without a lot of us. Enjoy your retirement John, you will be missed by many.
I won’t be getting up early anymore to listen if that’s the case. John was special and he knew my voice and could identify my name and suburb from memory. The number of baby boomers is huge but it seems that we’re not valued enough in anything anymore. Cruise took away 50’s music and tapered off 60’s a little , that was disappointing enough. I’ll go back to Coast fm.
I will miss John Dean l kept thinking l had the wrong radio station in the morning loved all the music and John’s great personality please keep the same sought of program
“One of the nicest guys in radio” I do recall this being very true.
Congratulations on an incredible career!
Best Wishes, Julia Bennett (Brian Bennett’s Daughter)