KIIS FM presenters Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley broke down on Friday as they gave an emotional farewell to their co-star Mitch Churi during his last show with them.
The normally upbeat radio hosts shared a gallery of gorgeous photos on Instagram, capturing the sweet farewell party they threw for their co-host of their hosting show The Pick Up.
Mitch. 28, announced live last month that KIIS FM management had informed him that his contract would not be renewed, sending shockwaves across the network.
Laura, 38, and Brittany, 37, were seen putting on a brave face as they posed alongside a beaming Mitch, who held a bouquet of flowers, at their farewell party at the KIIS FM studio in Sydney.
They captioned the gallery with some heartfelt words: ‘Today is our last show of the year and our last as a trio with the incredible, hilarious, spectacular, handsome walking human Mitch Churi.
‘It has been one of the greatest privileges of my career to sit across this funny man’s desk. We’re all so proud of you, Mitch, and we’ll be front row at your stand-up show in 2025 (you won’t back out now).
KIIS FM presenters Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley broke down on Friday as they gave an emotional farewell to their co-star Mitch Churi during his last show with them. Everything in the photo
“We love you, Mitch,” they added.
Last month, Mitch. broke down live when he confirmed to listeners that he had been fired from the network.
The radio star, who co-hosted the hosting show The Pick Up alongside Laura and Brittany, was emotional as she revealed the heartbreaking news to her co-stars.
“Late last week, the powers that be informed me that they had identified my role here as one that will not return in 2025,” Mitch began.
Mitch then revealed that the decision took him by surprise and that he wished it hadn’t come to this point.
‘I just want to say that it was not my decision or my calling. I really wanted to stay on the show with you two. I really wanted to stay at KIIS.’
Co-star Laura Byrne chimed in to say that she and Laura were fully supportive of Mitch and wished him all the best for the future.
‘This is not what we want for the show. It is a decision that has been made outside of our control. “Britt and I have to continue doing the show without you and we are completely devastated,” Laura said.
The normally upbeat radio hosts shared a gallery of gorgeous photos on Instagram, capturing the sweet farewell party they threw for their co-host of their hosting show The Pick Up.
Mitch had been co-hosting The Pick Up with Laura and Brittany since 2019.
“Not only are you our co-host, but you’re also one of our best friends,” Brittany chimed in.
He had hosted The Night Show with Mitch Churi since 2019 and co-hosted The Pick Up with Brittany and Laura.
The shock sacking of the beloved radio star is said to have worried staff at ARN, who employed Mitch at KIIS FM, and also radio stars at rival networks.
‘No one is safe. The cancellation of Mitch’s shows is a stark reminder that the industry is dying,” a source told Pedestrian.
“If RNA’s only local talent is eliminated in this way, there is no hope for the future of the industry.”
Mitch declined to comment to Daily Mail Australia when contacted about the issue.
Former radio executive Craig Bruce said in his Radio Game Changers: Melbourne Radio Wars Podcast: “You can understand this from a purely financial perspective.”
‘Let’s say Mitch makes $100,000 a year. ARN would look at that and say, “Okay, we’ve got a breakfast show for the next 10 years on the KIIS network, so that’s secured and we’ve got a driving show… So why would we spend any amount of money? “. In a night talent if we are not going to get a profit from it?
Bruce admitted: ‘If I was in that room, I would have voted in favor (of Churi being fired). I just can’t justify that salary right now on the current trajectory we’re on, which is a network that’s going to have one or two shows and that’s it.