What's New
BY Sarah Patterson June 27, 2026
What's New October 11, 2024
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.
A young Richard, surrounded by Elvis
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.
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What's New
BY Sarah Patterson June 26, 2026
Loss to the ABC and i’m not a supporter of the ABC – he is the only presenter i would listen to – that is a loss to the lefti ABC.
After all of these years, not hearing Richard in the afternoons is akin to losing a friend. Richard is one of a kind, a true entertainer and a story teller.
You will be missed Richard, wishing you every success with your future endeavours.
Richard Glover was possibly 702 ABC Radio Sydney’s final significant remaining on-air link (presenter wise anyway) to 2BL, so his departure at the end of 2024 certainly marks the end of an era!
As for 2025, Tim Webster would surely have to be the top pick for the next era of Drive on 702? He seemed to do OK during James Valentine’s sick leave.
Either way, the ABC probably need someone on Sydney drive with a fairly strong news background. While you can also be sure Nine Radio will see Glover’s departure and the ABC possibly appointing a weak successor, as an opportunity (which is likely to be their best in many years, if not ever) for 2GB’s historically weak Drive ratings to improve. Not that Chris O’Keefe hasn’t already been challenging RG in the shares…