Veteran ABC radio star confirms he has been sacked from his weekend show in ‘shock’ decision

Veteran radio star Simon Marnie has confirmed he has been sacked from his long-running weekend show in the latest shake-up to the ABC’s fast-changing radio division.

Marnie took to Instagram on Thursday morning to share the ‘shock’ news that the network is cutting his role presenting the NSW Weekend Mornings programs.

The announcement has come as a huge surprise to Marnie’s fans as he has worked with the national broadcaster for more than 25 years.

Marnie is a fan favourite on the ABC’s Sydney weekend airwaves and fronts the Saturday morning slot from 6am until 12pm, as well as the Sunday show from 10am until 12pm.

Confirming his axing, he wrote in an emotional message: ‘After a week or so of speculation I can confirm that the ABC has looked at its Weekend Structure in 2025 and informed me they do not have a role for me in that structure.

‘This came as a shock and I am still processing what it means for me.

‘If you’re in Sydney on Sunday I’d love you to join me one last time for the Weekend Show Christmas Picnic Outside Broadcast at Jazz @ The House on the grounds of Government House.

‘Please come along. Sunday 1st Dec 10 – midday the broadcast. Jazz at the House all day.’

Marnie’s unexpected announcement comes just days after the ABC denied reports that Marnie was not going to have his contract renewed, according to the Daily Telegraph. 

His fans were quick to share their devastation over his axing, arguing that he is irreplaceable as they lauded him as the definition of weekend radio in Sydney.

Taking to the comments section of his post, one wrote: ‘I’m so sorry Simon – you have been the soundtrack to every weekend for years and you’ll be greatly missed. 

‘Really don’t understand why the heart has been ripped out of the station. I really hope you get to keep doing what you do best in some capacity. Love and respect.’

Another said: ‘So sorry Simon! Your presence on the ABC will be missed!’

A third remarked: ‘Thank you for all your support over the years especially the Hawkesbury!! You will be missed by so many. Bad decision @abcsydney!!’ 

While a fourth penned: ‘Oh my I am so sorry. What is going on at the ABC? They have no understanding of their audience at all. We will miss you so much.’

And another added: ‘A huge loss… What will our weekends be like without you? Hope you’re okay and sending all best. As they say, ”one door closes, another opens…”. There will be lots of exciting new things out there for you!’

Daily Mail Australia has contacted ABC for comment. 

Before joining the ABC Sydney, Marnie kicked off his radio career at Triple J after studying at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.

Marnie, who lives in Maroubra, started off his career with the network doing work experience before securing himself a full-time role, and later moved over to ABC Sydney.

Marnie’s departure comes amid a turbulent period on ABC’s radio desks after a string of high-profile stars have been let go in recent weeks amid a major hosting upheaval.

Last week, popular radio host Sarah McDonald told listeners she was axed as ABC Radio Sydney’s mornings host after more than three decades with the broadcaster.

ABC boss Kim Williams, who succeeded Ita Buttrose as the national broadcaster’s chair in March, has since said he fully supported McDonald’s exit as the ABC looks to revitalise its radio division under audio director Ben Latimer.  

‘Changes in media are part of life,’ he told the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday. ‘They are part of the programming fabric of all organisations.’

ABC staffers were shocked by the move when it was announced alongside a raft of sweeping changes at the taxpayer-funded service last Thursday, greeting the news with a round of boos in their Sydney headquarters.

However, Williams was adamant McDonald, who is well-liked and highly regarded throughout the industry, was not fired – just that her job has been given to someone else.

Marnie is a fan favourite on the ABC’s Sydney weekend airwaves and fronts the Saturday morning slot from 6am until 12pm, as well as the Sunday show from 10am until 12pm

Marnie took to Instagram on Thursday morning to share the ‘shock’ news that the network is cutting his role presenting the NSW Weekend Mornings programs

‘It’s inaccurate to say that Sarah McDonald has been sacked,’ he said. 

‘Her role has not been renewed. They are different conceptually.

‘In a similar way, management has determined that it wishes to take that service in a different direction. 

‘That decision is a management decision, and I fully support our management in making relevant decisions as to the direction and content of the services that the ABC provides. 

‘So, yes, I do support that decision, I do support the notion of refreshment in the various services that the ABC offers.’

The ABC has reportedly been inundated with complaints since McDonald revealed she had been given the boot live on-air on her show on Thursday morning.

‘Well, here’s the news from me in terms of disappointment,’ she told her listeners. 

‘I’m not going to be on the radio with you next year, the ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings. I am proud of what I’ve done. The ratings are up.’

Marnie’s departure comes amid a turbulent period on ABC’s radio desks after a string of high-profile stars have been let go in recent weeks, including popular host Sarah McDonald 

ABC boss Kim Williams, who succeeded Ita Buttrose as the broadcaster’s chair in March, has since said he fully supported McDonald’s exit as the ABC looks to revitalise its radio division

Antoinette Lattouff was also axed by the ABC midway through a week of casual radio presenting shifts last December. 

Lattouf is suing the ABC in the federal court and claims the broadcaster breached its employee enterprise agreement by ‘sacking her without a proper basis and without due process’.

However, Williams insists she was not sacked either. 

‘Matters with Ms Latouff are, of course, the subject of legal disputation currently, and we have been impeccably silent about the matter, unlike Ms Latouff and her representatives, who seem to have been devoted to sharing on a regular basis with the media,’ he said. 

‘On that matter…we will continue to persist in aiming for that to be capable of respectful, constructive resolution between the ABC and Ms Latouff. 

‘But I must correct you – Ms Latouff was not dismissed.

‘She was on a five-day contract and…the contract was brought to a close at the end of the third day. 

Antoinette Lattouff was also axed by the ABC midway through a week of casual radio presenting shifts last December, and is suing the ABC for unlawful dismissal

‘So it affected the final two days of that contract which, of course, were paid.

‘It keeps on coming up, saying that she was “sacked”. 

‘I don’t know where that leaves us? She was not sacked.’

The media executive’s claim is at odds with a decision by the Fair Work Commission that found in June that Lattouf had been sacked, rejecting the argument she was not terminated because she was paid for the full five days.