BRADNAM’S GOD-GIVEN TALENT STILL UP IN AIR

Radio stations have been reaching out to axed host Luke Bradnam as he goes mountaineering

THE clamour is on for the broadcasting ability of dumped radio star Luke Bradnam – but in the meantime he’s planning to work on another god-given talent. Bradnam, whose Triple M drive-time show has been axed and ends in December, has been fielding calls from Gold Coast and Brisbane radio stations sounding him out. It’s understood the Channel 9 presenter also met with Gold FM bigwigs this week – it’s his goal to be back on local airwaves next year. In the meantime he’s excited about having time for mountaineering. He knocked off Everest Base Camp – at 5380 metres – in a 48hour trekking epic this week.

It is not for the faint-hearted. Ex-NRL star Matty Johns who attempted it with mates recently has spoken vividly about his crew falling apart and most not making it. Most people take a week so to do it in two days with no acclimatisation is impressive bordering on foolhardy.

But not if you are Bradnam. He reveals to ATG he has always possessed an incredibly-high natural aptitude for exercise at altitude, far above your garden-variety human. The 45-year-old says he was tested at a Miami altitude training centre and was told he had the highest capacity for performing at altitude than just about anyone they had come across. “They said you have really incredible white cell blood-oxygen levels once you get into a high range. I’m naturally lucky – it’s the only good thing I have been born with.

“It’s not an indication I’m fit.”

He has used it to his advantage to climb Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and plans an Everest attempt.

is set to miss her first big Gold Coast 600 race day since she took on the Tourism portfolio in 2015. Ms Jones will attend the GC600 on Friday before she heads north for the Whitsunday Tourism Awards on October 20. ATG hears Ms Jones, always invited but yet to attend the awards, thought it was vital she show support for operators in the north in the wake of extreme weather events and shark attacks.

I’m lucky, it’s the only good thing I’ve been born with