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Polly 'PJ' Harding has quit KIIS 101.1 Melbourne breakfast show Jase & PJ.
She broke down in tears on Wednesday as she told listeners that resigning was 'one of the hardest decisions' she'd ever made.
PJ is returning to her native New Zealand after a 'challenging' year which saw her 'priorities change' after getting engaged.
© Provided by Daily MailResigning: Polly 'PJ' Harding (pictured) has quit KIIS 101.1 Melbourne breakfast show Jase & PJ
She will be finishing up in June. Her co-host for the past six years, Jason Hawkins, is not leaving the program.
KIIS 101.1 has yet to announce PJ's replacement, but it's rumoured the network may hire former AFL star Dane Swan, who is already a regular contributor to the show.
Other candidates include 3pm Pick-Up host Kate Langbroek and Nine personality Lauren Phillips, who presents Jase & PJ's summer fill-in show.
© Provided by Daily MailStaying: PJ's co-host for the past six years, Jason Hawkins (pictured), is not leaving the show
© Provided by Daily MailStepping in? KIIS has yet to announce PJ's replacement, but it's rumoured the network may hire former AFL star Dane Swan (pictured), who is already a regular contributor to the show
PJ explained that being separated from her family and fiancé in New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic last year had taken a toll.
She got engaged in December to her long-term partner, known only as 'Beej', but hasn't been living with him because she works in Melbourne.
In addition to the pressure of a long-distance relationship, she lost her father in 2019.
'It's not been an easy decision to make but I know for me it's the right one and will kickstart a brand new chapter,' she said.
'I will miss Jase and the whole team so much, but rest assured we will definitely stay in contact as Jase is adamant to be my head bridesmaid.'
© Provided by Daily MailTeamwork: The Jase and PJ partnership began six-and-a-half years ago when they joined forces to host a drive show in New Zealand
Jason revealed it had been distressing watching PJ struggle behind the scenes over the last 12 months, saying she would often be 'in tears during ad breaks'.
PJ said she was reluctant to resign because she felt like she'd be letting Jason down, but ultimately she had to focus on her own happiness.
Her exit comes after a string of staff departures at the Jase & PJ show.
© Provided by Daily MailKiwi imports: They moved to Australia in late 2017 to host KIIS 101.1's breakfast slot, replacing axed duo Matt Tilley and Meshel Laurie
Imaging producers Toni Lodge and Jaxson McLennan quit this month, senior content producer Rami Mustafa left last year, and former executive producer Alex Perigo moved back to New Zealand in February.
The Jase and PJ partnership began six-and-a-half years ago when they joined forces to host a drive show in New Zealand.
They moved to Australia in late 2017 to host KIIS 101.1's breakfast slot, replacing axed duo Matt Tilley and Meshel Laurie.
© Provided by Daily MailEngagement: PJ explained that being separated from her family and fiancé (left) in New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic last year had taken a toll
Despite being a strong program, Jase & PJ was unable to fully break into the competitive Melbourne breakfast market.
Duncan Campbell, the content boss of Australian Radio Network, said in November he was frustrated with the show's ratings.
'Very few people criticise Jase & PJ and the content they do. And yet it just can't seem to get the traction we want,' Mr Campbell told Radio Today.
'And every time we think we're getting signs that "Yes, we're going to get some traction here and some momentum", then it doesn't deliver.'
Jase & PJ's best result came in survey five last year, when it jumped to a 7.2 per cent audience share. However, this fell to 4.4 per cent by the end of 2020.
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