A dark horse has emerged in the race to replace Patricia Karvelas as host of ABC Radio National’s Breakfast program.

Former commercial radio veteran John Laws (main picture) told me he was willing to come of retirement “yet again” to take over the hosting role at the national broadcaster.

Mr Laws – known as the Golden Tonsils with a 70-year career in radio behind him – only this week announced his retirement from Sydney station 2SM where he has hosted his own topical chat and music program for the past 13 years. He took up the 2SM job after previously retiring from radio in 2007.

“I’m ready to do it again,” Laws declared to me down the phone from his luxury Sydney harbour-front apartment.

“I think I’m the right bloke for the job at the right time.

“Our nation’s media is at a crossroads, and the radio scene in particular is facing unprecedented challenges especially the threat from new technology.

“The advent of television in the next few years will pose a tremendous threat and could very well erode radio audiences.

“I also think I have a solid track record in grilling our political leaders from the prime minister down which is a necessary skill for the job.

“Indeed, I understand that Bob Menzies is nervous as hell before he appears on my show. I always give him a hard time, but then to be fair, I also give Bert Evatt a hard time too,” he chuckled before lapsing into a coughing fit.

Mr Laws told me he had an extensive CV which he had already posted off to ABC chair Dick Boyer and managing director Sir Charles Moses.

Want to be alerted immediately a new blog hits Australia’s longest running and most offensive satire site? Simply click on the Follow sign or the link below to be emailed new yarns the moment they are uploaded! The very second we go far too far – and trust us we will – you can then quickly unfollow via the three dots!

Follow The Bug Online on WordPress.com