FIVEaa’s Jeremy Cordeaux axed for Brittany Higgins comments
Content warning: This article discusses sexual harassment and assault. For those needing support, call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
FIVEaa weekend breakfast presenter Jeremy Cordeaux OAM has had his employment terminated over “inappropriate and offensive” comments he made about the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins.
On Monday morning, FIVEaa breakfast host David Penberthy announced that Cordeux, a veteran of the Adelaide media scene, had been terminated and that FIVEaa parent Nova Entertainment apologised “unreservedly” for the comments.
Speaking about the alleged rape on his Saturday 27 March program, Cordeax said: “I just ask myself why the Prime Minister doesn’t call it out for what it is – a silly little girl who got drunk.”
“If this girl has been raped, why hasn’t the guy who raped her been arrested? Apparently, everyone knows his name. Security, you know, should never have let these two into the minister’s office at two o’clock in the morning. Never.
“The Defence Minister. Can you imagine security taking someone who was obviously drunk, so drunk I think that the young lady, during the week on television, said she couldn’t get her shoes on.
“My advice to the Prime Minister, as he was sort of monstered by A Current Affair… would be to stop worrying about offending somebody.”
Cordeaux moved into the weekend breakfast show this year after spending the last five years on evenings, having first started working for FIVEaa in 2014. He previously worked as a radio host in Sydney.
Penberthy told his audience on Monday morning, in comments echoed to Mumbrella in a statement: “Without reservation whatsoever, FIVEaa and Nova Entertainment sincerely apologise to Brittany Higgins for the comments made by Jeremy Cordeaux’s weekend breakfast show on Saturday morning.
“We acknowledge that the comments were completely inappropriate and offensive.
He revealed that the comments and views “do not reflect those held by FIVEaa and Nova Entertainment and we unequivocally withdraw them.
“Mr Cordeaux’s employment has been terminated.”
Cordeaux started his career at 2GB, also working at 2GF and 2KY, and rose to fame for a 30-year stint hosting The Court Of Public Opinion on 5DN in Adelaide.
He is also known for his television career, having hosted the Australian dating show Blind Date in 1970 and spent time as anchor of Seven News Adelaide in the 1980s.
He retired from radio in 2014 before returning to work at FIVEaa.
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Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
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