"You ain't seen nothing yet": Radio star's inspiring message after shock axing

In a move that has left loyal listeners reeling, Triple M has officially called time on The Night Shift and its beloved host, Luke Bona. The veteran broadcaster aired his final show in the early hours of Friday morning, marking the end of an era for overnight radio in Australia.

For fans, the abrupt end came as a shock, with the first signs of trouble emerging on Wednesday evening when a cryptic Facebook post appeared on The Night Shift's official page.

"No show this evening, so please don't freak out if you hear just music playing," Bona and producer Thomas Denham wrote, sparking speculation about the show's future.

By the next day, the fears of the show's dedicated audience were confirmed – Bona and Denham announced that The Night Shift would be going off the air for good, wrapping up with one final broadcast from midnight to 5am on Friday.

"It's with a heavy heart that we share The Night Shift will be coming to a close this week, but management have graciously given us the chance for one last hurrah," the duo wrote in a follow-up Facebook post. "For the last time from midnight 'til sparrow's fart across seventy-something transmitters, we will do our best to entertain and keep you company."

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Bona, who helmed the program for nearly nine years, built a reputation as a top-tier interviewer, securing big-name guests – including breakfast TV star Samantha Armytage – to chat with as they made their way to early morning gigs. His ability to connect with listeners, especially those working overnight shifts, made The Night Shift a staple of late-night radio.

The program, which aired across more than 70 Southern Cross Austereo and independent stations, also received industry recognition. In 2019, it was nominated for four Australian Commercial Radio Awards, including Best Talk Presenter and Best Current Affairs Presenter for Bona, Best Show Producer – Talk/Current Affairs, and the prestigious Brian White Award for Radio Journalism.

The cancellation of The Night Shift comes amid a wave of programming cuts at Triple M. The network recently axed The Rush Hour with Gus Worland, Jude Bolton and Aaron Woods, as well as Mark Geyer and Mick Molloy’s breakfast show. Additionally, Dead Set Legends, hosted by Candice Warner, Richard Freedman and Brendan Annakin, was also dropped from the schedule.

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As Bona signed off for the final time, he left fans with a final message of: "Tonight we say goodbye to The Night Shift, but baby you ain't seen nothing yet. Let's give 'em something to talk about."

Image: Facebook