Susie O’Neill broke down in tears as she announced her shock resignation from her Brisbane Nova breakfast show on Friday morning.
The Olympic swimmer-turned presenter, 51, tearfully told her Ash, Luttsy & Susie listeners she was immediately stepping down after 10 years in the role.
‘I do this with a heavy heart, the decision wasn’t easy. It’s hard for me to articulate exactly why I’m leaving,’ Susie began.
‘Turning 50 last year, I realised I’m at a whole new stage in my life. The next chapter will see me pursue other goals, both professionally and personally.’
Susie added that she already had some ideas about what the future held for her and reassured listeners they would get a chance to farewell her as she would remain on the air another six weeks.
‘I want to get back to the grassroots of sport and involve myself in the wider community. It’s going to be an emotional final day, saying goodbye to everyone,’ she said.
‘Whatever this next chapter brings, my Nova family won’t be far away.’
She went on to praise her co-host Ash and Luttsy for being so encouraging over the years.
‘Thanks to Ash and Luttsy for bringing me into your world and life a bit over 10 years ago now, when I pretty much had nothing going on in my life to be honest,’ she said.
‘I joked that it saved my life at the time.
‘You were both so supportive of me. I was horrible at radio and I’d be upset and say, “I can’t do it” and you would say, “no, just keep going, just keep going.”‘
Susie will present her final show on Friday, November 28.
Co-host David ‘Luttsy’ Lutteral was quick to pay tribute to Susie, saying, ‘It’s been an incredible adventure becoming great mates with you. Can’t wait to see your next chapter.’
Since 2013 she has been a regular on Nova, first as a sportscaster and later as a host alongside breakfast team Ashley Bradnam, Kip Wightman and David Lutteral.
A gifted swimmer, Susie rose to fame at 14, joining the Olympic team and going on to score 35 Australian titles.
She has also dabbled in DJing during her eclectic career.
Known as ‘Madame Butterfly’ in the pool, Susie has billed her DJ set as ‘Butterfly and Bangers’ as a tribute to amazing years as a swimmer.
Susie retired from swimming after the 2000 Olympics.
She shares two sons, Alix, 19, and Bill, 18, with husband, ophthalmologist Cliff Fairley.
