“There was no ambush.” Laurel Edwards sets the record straight on 4BC departure
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, says Laurel Edwards.
When she, Gary Clare and Mark Hine signed on to host 4BC Breakfast two years ago, it was with the best of intentions. But as it turned out, it was the classic ‘square peg in a round hole’ scenario for the trio so loved by listeners of the now defunct music station 4KQ.
“We tried our best,” Laurel tells Radio Today. “But at end of the day, the show just wasn’t working.”
Clearly different in style to 4BC’s traditional talkback format, Laurel says “We were a fun-based music program. That’s all we’d known for decades. That’s the show we wanted to present. Unfortunately, it just didn’t fit in that environment.”
“I think we all saw it coming.”
Now, with the show due to finish up in two weeks, Laurel is setting the record straight.
Contrary to certain reports, Laurel says she Gary and Mark weren’t unceremoniously shown the door. There was no ambush. No dramatic walkouts. No kicking, screaming or being frogmarched out of the building.
Quite simply, the time was right, and Laurel has only good things to say about her 4BC colleagues.
“They were lovely people to work with, and for. But at the end of the day, it comes down to ratings.”
“We had a fantastic run at KQ. We gave this a go, but it didn’t quite work out.”
Laurel admits the growing barrage of online criticism and speculation did cut deep.
“I tried to ignore all the comments. You try not to take things personally. But we just didn’t deserve to be picked apart like that.”
“The comments were getting very personal. That hurt.”
“It also hurt that there was stuff being leaked out. That’s when you start looking sideways.”
Laurel takes issue with any suggestion that she, Gary and Mark ‘jumped ship.’
As for the clickbait headlines surrounding her recent getaway to the Maldives with her husband, country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley … Laurel says that trip was booked two years ago.
“It was just a really great time and a really great experience. But as soon as I get over there, it’s like ‘Laurel Edwards has quit.’”
Laurel says she, Gary and Mark are extremely proud of what they’ve achieved as one of the longest running, most successful teams in Australian radio. Nothing can take that away from them.
“We’ve always had each other. No matter what, we’d go in and do our show.”
But, whilst Laurel affectionately refers to Gary and Mark as her ‘work husbands,’ she says they’re all at different stages in their lives.
“We’re very proud of the fact we’ve created a good brand that’s stood the test of time.”
No longer having to set those early morning alarms opens up a whole new world of possibilities for Laurel – namely passion projects, which have absolutely nothing to do with ‘work,’ or having to get another job.
She now also has the freedom to enjoy more travel with her hubby.
“When Troy gets back from different trips, he’ll say ‘I wish we could go here, I wish we could go there … ”
“Now, I can do it.”
Whatever the future holds, Laurel’s latest social media post says it all, really:
“After 32 years of 4am alarms, I’m truly excited about switching off for a while and annoying the shit out of Troy until I find a hobby.”
I will be very sad to see the show end. I’m sure that there are many like me who aren’t into talkback radio but tuned in for the brekky show, I think 4BC will lose at least part of their audience for that time slot. Best of luck to the crew in their future endeavors.
They never should have been on 4BC! Ever. This is the fault of the previous 4BC CD. Who I see has left radio. Laurel, Gary and Mark were a proven success breakfast team and should never been put on a News talk station. Look if anything they should have been on 4BH. But really…they should have “ridden of into the sunset” when they were kicked off 4KQ. Now they’ll just be remembered but most as that really annoying trio in the morning 4BC listeners. It’s a shame. A this should be a big lesson for others.
I’m not surprised that Laurel, Gary and Mark
Are leaving again
I get it it maybe you need to change management
There has to be someway to preserve and keep
L.G.M breakfast Show on 4BC
Maybe they people to boycott 4BC
Like many others, myself I’ve been following Laurel, Gary and Mark for a very Long time now and followed them over from KQ to BC
So the Breaky team goodbye, Goodluck in all u do
It’s been an absolute Honour and pleasure
To apart of your lives from the KQ to the BC Years
Thank You for the Happy Memories, The Laughter, the Tears, no more of my favourite Lost Classics, The Birthday Wheel,
Or Gary,s FFF Fast Facts, The Grand in the Hand or Laurels Lip Goss
Question is who’s going to get pocession of the birthday wheel when u retire it?
In the classic words of the famous last episode of the iconic show MASH
” Goodbye Farewell and Amen
Richard G
Bowen Hills
Will they end up on another station?
No studio means not likely 4bh.
Interesting what the ratings for 4bh do.
Will be sad to see you go. For sure they’ll put a shock jock in which you don’t want at 6am
It’s not an ambush unless I’m involved.
Sad to see Laurel, Gary,and Mark go..they were highlight of my day.
Won’t be turning into 4B C any more..☹️
Congratulations to all 3 of you on your commitment to radio and wishing you all the very best in your new endeavours. Much love B
Sad to see Triple MMM getting rid of more local Shows in Adelaide and Perth this week.
I guess south and west Australian clients and listeners aren’t valued enough to get local shows anymore.
Very sad day! The end of an era!
Enjoyed many years of listening to the banter of Laurel, Gary and Mark – so delightful to wake up to funny, positive vibes instead of listening to the gripes of opinuated people.
I will be finding a new station, as I did when 4KQ found another direction.
Best wishes Laurel, Gary and Mark for your future journeys. Your positivity will be greatly missed.
I’m devastated, 21 years of laurel, Gary and Mark keeping me company on my drive from the Gold coast to Brisbane . My 5.30 journey will never be the same again. I have laughed with them every day, such genuinely good, kind amazing people. I will miss your beautiful voices. Good luck with the well earned sleep ins you are wonderful people. Thankyou for many many years of fun. Xxx
Bugger i injoyed listening to you guys you all are great thanks and I hope your future is bright
It was so nice to tune into BC for the breakfast show each morning. Not into talkback radio but it was obvious from the start that it wouldn’t fit the BC format. They were like family to listen to. I certainly won’t bother listening to BC any more.
So sad that three of the states very best broadcasters will no longer be in my morning life. You all provide lots of laughs and a very happy start to mornings. My very best wishes to you all.