Michael Hing to replace Veronica Milsom on Triple J drive

Following the announcement last week that Triple J drive host Veronica Milsom would be leaving the station at the end of the month, Michael Hing has been named as the new co-host, joining Lewis Hobba.

Milsom has been on Triple J since 2011, beginning on mid-dawns before moving to Weekend Brekkie, then Weekend Arvos, then finally joining the drive shift in 2015.

Hing and Hobba will be the new drive hosts

Milsom, who Triple J credited as one of its ‘most creative thinkers and natural content makers’ said she would really miss working with the station.

“I’ll really miss Triple J, but I’m excited about the advertising opportunities once I leave. Sometimes I wonder if collaborating with a major sporting brand will feel disgusting and shameless, but my gut says Just Do It,” she said.

“The impact Lewis has had on me will be everlasting. Literally, his name is tattooed on me. I’ll never forget him, even if I wanted to.”

Hobba, who is recovering from the loss of Milsom, said: “Since we met at high school I’ve spent more time with Veronica than anyone else, and I still get excited to see her every day. Veronica has a beautiful, weird brain and it’s been a joy to watch Australia fall in love with the way she looks at the world.

“I could go on forever but Veronica gets *very* uncomfortable around heartfelt farewells, which is why I hope everyone says something nice to her before she goes. She’ll absolutely hate it.”

Hing, who is described as a ‘friend of the show’ and has been in the position of recurring guest for the drive show, is a standup comedian, performer for Triple J’s One Night Stand Up and host of SBS’ The Feed.

Hing said: “I’m really excited to be hosting Triple J Drive with Veronica. She’s a close friend, a great comedian and someone I’ve always looked up to… wait, Veronica’s the one leaving? So I’m hosting with Lewis? Okay, I guess that’s fine.”

Hing has finished he work with The Feed to focus on working with Triple J. A spokesperson for SBS said: “The Feed original, Marc [Fennel], will continue to lead the show alongside Alice Matthews who will work alongside him and the team. We currently have some very talented presenters on The Feed.”

Hobba added: “I only had one demand for Veronica’s replacement: find me someone who has run for the Australian senate AND been nominated for Bachelor of the Year. If I knew that meant I’d end up with Michael Hing I would’ve made a different demand. But here we are.”

Listeners can tune in to Hing & Lewis at 3pm every weekday on triple j from Monday 24 February.