Stacey Lee, Nikolai Beilharz unveiled as ABC Radio Adelaide’s new Breakfast show hosts

Adelaide journalists and broadcasters Stacey Lee and Nikolai Beilharz have been announced as the new hosts of ABC Radio Adelaide’s top-rating Breakfast program.

Lee and Beilharz are well-known to ABC audiences across South Australia, with Beilharz having presented programs over the past 15 years, including the SA edition of The Country Hour.

Lee has established herself as a leading political journalist and is a regular contributor to ABC Radio Adelaide’s Spin Cycle program.

The duo will start on-air on Friday, January 21.

The pair take over from Ali Clarke, who stepped down last year, and their appointments also follow the retirement of popular presenter and roving reporter Spence Denny.

Beilharz’s career includes time spent working for the ABC in Queensland and Victoria, and said he made the decision to return to SA because he “really missed the local lifestyle”.

“My wife Monique and I made the decision to move back to South Australia last year to raise our family, as the opportunities that Adelaide offers to us as we grow are second to none – it’s such a great place to live,” he said.

“I can’t wait to get behind the Breakfast mic and to share the stories and conversations that will set the tone for Adelaide’s day.”

Lee has most recently worked as the SA political reporter for ABC Adelaide and her career has also included producing, presenting and reporting roles for Sky News and Channel Seven, as well as the ABC, in Adelaide and Sydney.

“I have loved reporting every aspect of Adelaide life and it is an honour to be given the opportunity to help the city start its day,” she said.

“It’s such a vibrant place to live and I know that Nikolai and I can bring listeners all the news they need each morning along with the inspiring and uplifting stories that audiences love.”

Lee won the SA Press Club’s award for best business or finance report last year, and was named best young journalist in 2015.

“We know that Adelaide expects us to do the job we’re here for and to do it in a way that reflects our town,” ABC Adelaide Local Manager Graeme Bennett said.

“Nikolai and Stacey will add positive energy and passion to what we do. They’re experienced and strongly committed to the ABC way and the place we live in.

“The rest of the team is back with David Bevan, Sonya Feldhoff, Jules Schiller, Peter Goers and Deb Tribe returning with their usual recipe of information, entertainment, debate and discussion on all things Adelaide.

“I know they’ll hit the ground running in a year with so much happening: state and federal elections, what we hope will be the end of the pandemic and so much more that is yet to unfold.”