Scotty and Nige are no more, with the shock announcement that Scott Masters is leaving Canberra FM 104.7.
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Canberra FM's general manager Eoghan O'Byrne has refused to blame ratings, or to confirm or deny that Masters did not want to leave the show, saying instead that it was "a business decision".
Masters and his on-air partner Nigel Johnson, Scotty and Nige – have been part of the fabric of the Canberra community since taking on the breakfast shift full-time eight years ago.
But the radio station has announced it is reducing its on-air breakfast talent from three to two, with Masters to leave the show.
The new breakfast show will be Nige & Knuckles for Breakfast, hosted by Johnson and Kate Rice, who is already a presenter on the slot.
The new line-up will start from October 19.
It comes as the latest radio ratings released earlier this month revealed 666 ABC Canberra had taken over 104.7 as Canberra's most popular radio station.
The critical breakfast slot was always a tussle between 104.7 and 666 – with 666 usually victorious – but Scotty and Nige still amassed a loyal following, not only for their humorous banter but for the many charity events they led for the station.
The brand Scotty and Nige was so powerful that in the centenary year of 2013, the duo was voted in as No.3 in a list of the top 100 things people loved about Canberra.
Mr O'Byrne said Masters had not been sacked – "absolutely not" – but refused to say if the popular announcer did not want to leave the station.
"It's been a decision that's been in consideration for some time. Scotty is a professional and we wish him all the very, very best. He and I are fine. Everything is good. He was a great member of our team," he said.
Mr O'Byrne brushed off a suggestion stations live and die by their ratings.
"We're happy with our ratings," he said. "We're happy with where we sit in the market. From a commercial point of view, we're extremely strong. We provide great radio to the community and we're happy with where we sit.
"But like with all things in life, you'd like to have more share and we're all striving for that. But overall, the decision really wasn't driven by ratings, it was driven by the restructure."
Scotty and Nige celebrated their 1500th show in April last year. Their first official show was on May 2, 2007.
Mr O'Byrne said he was not sure what the next step would be for Masters, who is originally from Newcastle.
"He's a professional in the industry, so I'm sure he's got options," he said.
