Devlin returns to his 'dream' sports job

Martin Devlin. Photo / Michael Craig

Television personality Martin Devlin is set to return to Radio Sport next year and replace stalwart host Brendan Telfer.

The Radio Network announced yesterday that Devlin would be the host of the 9am-12pm slot, following the all new show The Crowd Goes Wild Breakfast, hosted by Andrew Mulligan and Mark Richardson.

Devlin, the current host of Radio Hauraki's breakfast show, said he'd never been happier. He will continue to contribute to his current show regularly on sporting issues.

"I just love talking sport so to be back working for Radio Sport is a dream for me.

"I have loved my time with Hauraki and am stoked that I will still be involved going forward with some regular guest appearances," he said in a statement.

Telfer, one of the original hosts when Radio Sport launched 15 years ago, said it was time for a break and something new. "This year I recorded my 40th consecutive year in sports broadcasting and I feel ready for some sort of sabbatical and maybe a bit of a change."

General manager talk programming for The Radio Network (TRN), Dallas Gurney, said Telfer's departure was the end of an era.

"Brendan's name is synonymous with sport broadcasting in New Zealand. He's interviewed some fascinating athletes over his years and carved a real respect in the world of sport with his knowledge. He is a true professional and has been our sage."

He said the new breakfast and morning shows would help bring more entertainment factor to Radio Sport.

A new Hauraki breakfast show is yet to be announced but TRN said Devlin's current Hauraki co-host Laura McGoldrick will stay at the station.

There's speculation that Mediaworks hosts Carl Fletcher and Vaughan Smith, better known as Fletch and Vaughan on The Edge, could join the show.

In July, it was announced the pair would join TRN in 2014 to work with new chief content officer Dean Buchanan.

The latest Radio Bureau figures rank the pair's current show at No 1 in the drive time position nationwide.