AJ picks up mic for old rivals

A RADIO doyen has opened d up for the first time about his is split from long-time employer r Gold FM, and why he is now w joining its chief rival.

AJ Johnston will be the major name behind the launch of Hot Tomato Gold, Australia’s first foray into digital radio broadcasting outside of a capital city. Building on his 22-year tenure at Hot Tomato’s main competitor, Gold FM, Johnston will be hosting commercial-free breakfast radio at his new gig, featuring hits from the 1960s through to the ’90s.

Johnston shocked listeners when he left Gold FM after more than two decades. After a brief revival in 2019, when he was brought back to revive the show’s falling ratings, he announced he would part ways with the station permanently.

Johnston (above) broke his silence on the “disagreement”, saying he felt undervalued by his former company.

“Within 12 months, m the station st rose in my m timeslot by 3.5 per cent,” he said. “We

rose ro from third spot back to number one.

“I felt that because of the success we had – 3.5 per cent is a lot in radio figures and management set out to improve the show and we went from third to first – and I was asked to come back the next year with no remuneration.”

In his time off-air, Johnston worked a number of gigs from truck driving to airport transfers, and even a brief stint in politics running for council.

He said he was “surprised and pleased” to get back behind the mic.

“I finished up after many years across the road, and I thought that was the end of it. I’m so excited about reigniting that on Hot Tomato Gold.”

His first show with Hot Tomato is Monday.