John Laws has announced that he will retire next month.
The veteran radio host, 89, revealed on 2SM on Tuesday morning that he will be hanging up the headphones on November 8, after almost 71 years in radio.
Laws made the announcement after reading a letter from an on-air listener who wanted to thank him for years of entertaining the airwaves.
“You’re not going to hear it for long, mate, I think it’s time to rest, that’s what I think,” he said.
‘I’ve done it for a long, long, long, long time: 70 years, is that enough? It’s quite long.
John added that he could “call it a day very soon”, before confirming that he will end his stellar radio career in November.
He added that he felt it was the right time to end his radio career.
‘I would have done it for 71 years, the first week of November it will be 71 years since I started on the radio,’ he said.
John Laws has announced that he will retire next month
‘I don’t want to be greedy, I had 71 fantastic years. “I loved almost every minute.”
John admitted that this would be his last goodbye, adding that he planned to travel and read when he retired.
‘I still feel young, I still feel healthy. When the day is over it will be a day, I’m not going to leave and come back and say it was all a mistake,’ the broadcast icon said.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, John’s 2SM account shared a montage image that showed him at various stages of his long and storied career.
‘What a day! And what 70 years it has been!’ the caption read.
The veteran radio host, 89, revealed on 2SM on Tuesday morning that he will be hanging up his headphones on November 8, after almost 71 years in radio.
‘To all John’s loyal listeners, thank you for keeping the dream alive! And to everyone who contributed to today’s show, thank you.”
John’s fans were quick to comment on the post, offering heartfelt congratulations on such a successful career on the airwaves.
‘One of the many who listen but don’t call. The world will not be the same when you retire,’ commented one.
Another chimed in with a similar comment: ‘Bravo John! An incredible achievement.”
‘I’ve done it for a long, long, long, long time: 70 years, is that enough? It’s quite long
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, John’s 2SMaccount shared a montage image that showed him at various stages of his long and storied career.
John began his career in AM radio back in 1853 at 3BO in Bendigo and his unique style earned the broadcaster the nickname “the golden tonsils”.
After four years at 3BO, John moved to metro station, 2UE, where he became one of the first DJs to play rock ‘n’ roll music.
Laws stepped away from radio for four years in 2007 and returned to the airwaves at 2SM in 2011.
In September, Laws returned to his S2M Super Network show after spending an extended period in hospital.
After seeking medical attention for a blocked ear, his health rapidly deteriorated and he was admitted to St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney for three weeks.
He had contracted pneumonia, but later revealed that he was fortunately recovering.
“I’m alive, I’m fine, I’m happy,” he told The Saturday Telegraph.
In 2022, he took a leave of absence from his radio job after suffering respiratory infections.
John began his career in AM radio back in 1853 at 3BO in Bendigo and his unique style earned the broadcaster the nickname “the golden tonsils”.
Despite this, Laws had told the publication that he had no plans to retire.
‘I turn on the microphone and the board fills up every day and I’m back, on the air, doing what I love to do,’ he said.
‘Why should I stop?’ added the veteran shock athlete.
Presenter Dave Cochrane replaced John on his 2SM show while he was in hospital.
Speaking to listeners, Cochrane said: ‘I’m sorry to say you have to put up with me again today, the king still isn’t feeling better, but we’ve got our fingers crossed he can be back and behind the golden microphone tomorrow.’
Laws lost his wife Caroline to cancer in February 2020 after 40 years of marriage.
Laws stepped away from radio for four years in 2007 and returned to the airwaves at 2SM in 2011. In September, Laws returned to his S2M Super Network show after spending an extended period in hospital.
