Drive host Richard Glover announces departure from ABC Sydney

ABC Radio Sydney presenter Richard Glover has announced he is leaving the flagship drive program after 26 years.

The veteran host told listeners on Friday it had been a tough decision to leave the popular radio program.

“It’s one of the best jobs in Australian journalism, and I feel I’ve hogged it for long enough,” he said.

“It has a terrific audience – funny, wise, full of intellect but also willing to share some of the deeper stories of being human.

“There’s the chance to do anything. Every afternoon there’s politics, literature, music and comedy, all jockeying for position.”

While not ruling out a future with the ABC, for now he said he planned on continuing to his column with the Sydney Morning Herald.

He also told listeners he planned on continuing to work on another book and to spend time with his three grandchildren.

Former 7.30 host Leigh Sales paid tribute to Glover in an Instagram post on Friday afternoon.

“He has been absolutely fantastic – warm, wise, good-humoured and intelligent,” she said.

“The exact kind of person you want keeping you company on the radio, in good times and bad.

“Bravo Ricardo, you done good son.

*Number 122 on The Best Friend List (little in-joke there for those who’ve listened to our weekly segment)”.

Glover has been nominated for three Walkley awards, one of which was for his work in radio.

He also took home the Guinness World Record in 2011 for the longest television interview.

Glover is the latest ABC star to announce a change.

Earlier this week, Radio National breakfast presenter Patricia Karvelas announced she was leaving the role for ABC news TV, while popular News Breakfast sport presenter Tony Armstrong left the team a couple of weeks ago.