Marty Sheargold has quit Melbourne’s Triple M breakfast shift following a three-month absence from the show last year prompted by an incident at last year’s AFL Grand Final.
On Thursday, Triple M confirmed the move, saying the comedian was stepping down, but will continue to be heard on a national 3pm slot and the network’s podcast.
“Taking an extended break at the end of last year has reinforced the importance of spending more quality time with my family,” Sheargold said in a statement, published in the Herald Sun.
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“As a result, I have made the decision to prioritise self-care, maintaining a better work/life balance and will not be returning to my Triple M Breakfast show. However, I will continue The Marty Sheargold Show podcast, along with the 3-4pm national Triple M show.”
“I want to thank my immediate team and the network for their ongoing support and understanding. And I’d also like to thank the listeners for their loyalty to both the show and the station. Like them, I remain a Triple M fan.”
SCA Chief Content Officer, Dave Cameron, confirmed the move.
“SCA supports Marty’s decision to rebalance his personal and work commitments, and we’d like to thank Marty and his team for creating a unique and hilarious Breakfast show for Melbourne since 2021,” Cameron said.
Sheargold took leave from the breakfast show in October last year before returning in January, declaring at the time he was “mentally exhausted” and was taking an “extended break” from the airwaves.
His announcement followed reports he had been ejected by security at the AFL Grand Final due to comments he made to guests at a corporate event.
However SCA said Sheargold left the event at halftime “of his own accord”.
“I just wanted to let people know that I’ll be taking an extended break from work, with the very kind and compassionate permission of my employers, who have been generous in their understanding of my need for a break,” Sheargold said as he told listeners of his decision.
“I think it’s important for people like myself who have a public voice to admit that I am exhausted mentally from my range of commitments across TV, radio and live shows, in an attempt to continue to remove some of the roadblocks and stigma around mental health.
“I need to set aside some time to get my work/life balance back into something that feels better than it has over the last couple of years.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out, your support has been welcome and enriching.”