What's New June 4, 2025

Proving the doubters wrong: The Christian O’Connell Show celebrates 7 years on air

Sarah Patterson

Reporter

When Christian O’Connell uprooted his entire life to move from the UK to the other side of the world and host Gold 104.3’s Breakfast show, the doubters had a field day.

An English bloke on Melbourne FM radio? Too risky, they said. It would never work.

How wrong they were. Today – as The Christian O’Connell Show celebrates seven years on air – O’Connell has the city’s #1 FM Breakfast program, consistently delivering ratings gold and having well and truly endeared himself to his new Australian audience.

Getting there was no walk in the park, though – as reflected in the title of O’Connell’s own memoir: No One Listens to Your Dad’s Show.

But instead of being the interloper, he gradually became the listeners’ friend.

As the new guy in town, they helped him navigate his new city. Heck, they even helped him choose which AFL team to follow.

Joining O’Connell on the journey back in 2018 were Jack Post – who recently departed the team – and Patrina Jones, who loves that the show has given her the opportunity to grow her role outside that of a traditional FM radio newsreader:

“I enjoy having the freedom to be my real self on-air and share my life with our listeners, hoping to inspire and brighten their day,” she tells Radio Today.

O’Connell, she says, is the real deal.

“Christian connects to our audience on a spiritual level,” says Jones. “There’s no façade, only true authenticity. He has an enormous heart for his team and takes great pride in seeing us find our divine purpose.”

“To be part of a magical ride like this is afforded to so few.”

Five years after O’Connell arrived in Melbourne, the audience shared his joy as he, his wife and two daughters committed themselves to their adopted country and officially became Australian citizens.

In November 2023, ARN announced it was renewing O’Connell’s contract until 2029 and beyond.

ARN’s CEO Ciaran Davis said “Putting an English accent onto the Melbourne airwaves was a brave move, but we’ve never looked back. Christian is now well and truly part of the fabric of Melbourne.”

Seven years and over 1300 shows later, O’Connell is marking the milestone today by thanking his listeners for their support, giving away seven products from E & S, from Bosch washing machines to quad door fridges.

O’Connell says “It’s a big anniversary for us on the show and you (our listeners) as well, because without any of you listening to the show, telling your friends about it, there would be no me here, or my kids having their life here and now in Australia.”