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Ed Kavalee, Grant Denyer and Ash London to return to 2Day FM

2Day FM has confirmed Ed Kavalee and Grant Denyer and Ash London as its 2019 breakfast hosts.

London came on board in September this year, after co-host Em Rusciano decided to step down from her role.

She will continue to run her music show – Ash London Live – on weeknights from 6:30pm.

In the most recent ratings survey, which ran from August 19 to September 22 and September 30 to November 3, 2Day FM climbed a full ratings point to a 4.6% share.

London joins Kavalee and Denyer, who kicked off the show alongside Rusciano earlier this year. The pair replaced Rusciano’s former co-host, Harley Breen. But when Rusciano resigned to spend time with her family, London was appointed a temporary replacement.

Rusciano came on board with comedian Breen at the beginning of the 2017 radio ratings year, replacing Rove McManus and Sam Frost, who fronted the show during 2016 and the tail end of 2015.

McManus and Frost had replaced Dan Debuf and Maz Compton, who themselves had filled the void left by Merrick Watts, Jules Lund, Sophie Monk and Mel B.

Watts, Lund and Monk had replaced Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, who finished on the Southern Cross Austereo-owned network at the end of 2013, before defecting to rival Kiis.

London is the 13th radio host for 2Day FM breakfast since Sandilands and Henderson left the station five years ago. But her appointment is not a surprise.

Last survey, Hit Network boss Gemma Fordham told Mumbrella it wouldn’t be a “big announcement”.

“The show is just the show. They are doing a great job and are happy with it. What I will say is that we’ve had a very different strategy with the breakfast show in the last few months, than we have previously. We’ve put in a lot more music,” Fordham said at the time.

Today, Fordham said she was thrilled to have London join the breakfast team permanently.

“She is the real deal, connects authentically with audiences and brings a fun, fresh and frank take on the day. The chemistry she has with Grant and Ed will only continue to flourish and we are excited about what is ahead for them!

“2Day FM breakfast is committed to playing more music when you wake up because we know that’s what our audience wants and that’s the 2Day FM difference.”

Hit Network’s Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little and Dave ‘Hughesy’ Hughes and Kate Langbroek wall return in 2019, while Danny Lakey will run a new late nights show from 8pm-11pm.

“Audiences love our line-up of talent and our ever-evolving music strategy that sets us apart from the pack,” Fordham added.

“We will kick off the year with a brand-new breakfast show for Adelaide with local icons and darlings Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello and Rebecca ‘Bec’ Morse which we know will resonate with South Australians.  We can’t wait for another cracking year in 2019!”

The Hit Network lineup:

5am – 6am: Those Two Girls

6am – 9am:  Hit Network Breakfast shows

Sydney, 2Day FM Breakfast with Grant, Ed & Ash
Melbourne, Fox FM Breakfast with Fifi, Fev & Byron
Brisbane, Hit105 Breakfast with Stav, Abby & Matt
Adelaide, Hit107 with Cosi & Bec
Perth, Hit92.9 Breakfast with Heidi, Xavier & Ryan

3pm – 4:30pm: Carrie & Tommy

4:30pm – 6:30pm: Hughesy & Kate

6:30pm – 8pm: Ash London Live

8pm – 11pm: Danny Lakey

11pm – 1am: Collective Noun

1am – 5am: TBC

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