A Change On Saturday Morning
John Campbell is to leave National Radio’s Saturday Morning programme at the end of March after presenting the high
profile lifestyle show for almost two years.
The decision, announced today in a joint statement from John Campbell and Radio New Zealand, will allow Campbell to
concentrate on his TV3 commitments in what is expected to be a busy election year.
In making the announcement, Radio New Zealand Chief Executive, Sharon Crosbie said:
“ I have been delighted with John Campbell’s performance since he took over the Saturday Morning show. John’s
professionalism, his probing interviews, his warmth and his natural liveliness have all been appreciated by National
Radio listeners. We know the audience support for the show has been steadily growing.
“ We are very sorry to lose him but I do understand the pressure of other media commitments in an election year. We’d
like to keep John in the family and hope to entice him back to National Radio some time in the future.”
John Campbell, while reluctant to relinquish his Saturday Morning slot, acknowledged that 2002 would be a very busy year
for him at TV3.
" It's with real reluctance that I'm leaving the Saturday Morning show. I've had a wonderful two years, it's been a
great experience, and there have been moments I'm really proud of. But I console myself with the fact I'll get to have
Saturday mornings in bed listening to someone else doing the show... what a treat that will be.
My decision to leave has been made because of my TV3 commitments in election year. I'm going to be working pretty hard
this year, and the Saturday morning programme deserves considerable time and passion. I'll always have the latter, but
the former's going to be in short supply over the next few months.
So rather than winging it or letting the show, its audience and our guests down, I'm going to move
on while I'm still doing it as well as I'm possibly able. Sharon Crosbie asked me to stay, and by golly I wanted to. But
more than that I wanted to do the show justice, or not do it at all. Simple as that.
I want to thank Sharon Crosbie, the show's Producer Chris Bourke and the show's Technical Producer Operator Jeremy
Ansell... by gum it's been great working with them.
I'll miss them and I really hope we can all work together again "
John Campbell’s last Saturday Morning show show will be on Saturday 30th March.
Radio New Zealand will make an announcement on a new presenter for the programme in due course.
Ends