Dean ‘Clairsy’ Clairs departs 96FM breakfast
96FM Breakfast co-host Dean ‘Clairsy’ Clairs has announced he will be stepping away from Breakfast radio, with his final show to air this Friday, August 15.
A true West Aussie through and through, Clairsy has spent the past 43 years in radio, having started at just 17 in Merredin on the same night Australia II made history winning the America’s Cup. It was the beginning of an incredible journey through some of the most iconic stations and line-ups in the country – from Bunbury to Canberra, Adelaide and ultimately back to his hometown of Perth.
In 2021, Clairsy realised his long-held dream of joining 96FM and has spent the past four and a half years co-hosting Clairsy & Lisa on Breakfast – a show that has helped drive 96FM’s ratings success, with the station now holding the #1 overall position in Perth and recently achieving its highest share in over 20 years with a massive 17.1%.
Clairsy said: “From the age of 16 I was lucky enough to know what I wanted to do and my obsession was to work at 96FM. 38 years later the legendary Gary Roberts gave me the chance to do that. I also got to work with my long-time friend Lisa Shaw. You can’t buy the kind of chemistry we have together.”
Over the course of his career, Clairsy has interviewed some of the world’s biggest names in music, sport, film and television – from Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks and P!NK to Hugh Jackman, Sir Ian McKellen and Angela Lansbury. He’s been part of some of the most successful line-ups in Perth and Adelaide radio history, and never shied away from a wild stunt, including abseiling off the WACA light towers for Telethon – despite a healthy fear of heights.
96FM Content Director Greg Edgeworth paid tribute to Clairsy’s contribution, saying: “Clairsy is one of the most respected and genuinely loved figures in Australian radio. He brings heart, humour and humility to everything he does. He’s been instrumental in 96FM’s incredible success over the past few years and will always be a part of the station’s story. We wish him nothing but happiness in this next chapter.”
While Clairsy steps away from the mic, his long-time friend and co-host Lisa Shaw will continue on 96FM Breakfast – with details of her new co-host to be revealed soon.