Richard Glover to depart ABC Radio Sydney after 26 years helming Drive

‘Enjoy it.’

That is ABC Radio Sydney‘s Richard Glover‘s words to the future successor of his Drive program after announcing this afternoon he will be leaving the ABC to focus on other things after 26 years as host.

Glover told listeners:

“It’s one of the best jobs in Australian journalism, and I feel I’ve hogged it for long enough.”

There were hints of future involvement with the ABC, but in the short-term he planned to continue writing books and his Sydney Morning Herald column, plus get a few things sorted out that he hasn’t managed to do during his long service leave at the end of 2023, saying:

“I also plan to get my knees done after years boring my listeners with my problems.”

Glover joined ABC Radio Sydney on Mornings in 1996, switched to Drive two years later. He’s enjoyed an array of star guests with some of his favourites Bill Bryson, Clive James, Julie Andrews, Dolly Parton, Lou Reed and David Attenborough. His affection for Elvis Presley was also legendary, with a suit that Glover owns joining him when the station relocated earlier this year.

Journalist and author Peter FitzSimons and Glover broke the Guinness World Record for the longest radio interview in 2011, talking to for a marathon 24 hours, a feat was beaten in 2022 by two Ohio radio producers. He has also been nominated for three Walkley Awards, two for print, and one for radio.

ABC Managing Director David Anderson said:

“Richard is a once in a generation broadcaster who manages to strike the balance between news and politics and just having a really good yarn on radio. I would like to thank Richard for giving so much of himself to his program. He has been an intrinsic part of 702 ABC Radio Sydney for more than 25 years and he will be missed by his colleagues and his audience in equal measure.”

Glover’s last Drive show will be on Friday November 29, with a special Thank God It’s Friday featuring comedians Tommy Dean, Wendy Harmer and Tahir and a musical performance from The Backsliders.

Richard said:

“I’ll miss the listeners, of course, but also my fabulous colleagues at 702 ABC Radio Sydney — radio’s best team.”

The Drive replacement will be announced soon as will details of ticketing for Richard’s last TGIF.