Ross Stevenson (Radio)

Ross (Roscoe) Stevenson, real name Ross Campbell, (born August 25, 1957) (with on-air partner John Burns) is a radio presenter on Melbourne radio. "Breakfast with Ross Stevenson & John Burns" on radio station 3AW is one of Australia's most successful radio shows. The light hearted breakfast news and gossip show starts at 5:30am and goes through to 8:30am each weekday morning.

The set format of the breakfast show includes regular segments that include;

* Showbiz with Peter Ford
* Food with Lazy Susan
* Sport with Jon Anderson
* Police and crime with Sly of the Underworld
* Politics with Andrew Bolt
* "On this day" at 5:50am - describing anniversaries of world events and famous people's birthdays

International correspondents with regular segments also include Malcolm Stuart (sometimes Gavin Grey) reporting from Great Britain and Bob Tarlau (sometimes Kirk Clyatt) from the United States at 6:50am.

Arguably the most popular segment of the 3 hour show is the Rumour File at 7:07am each weekday morning.

Television

Stevenson is also known for co-writing the comic television series The Games with John Clarke that starred Gina Riley, Bryan Dawe and Nicholas Bell. The Games satirised the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG).

Career

Stevenson's early career was working at the law, first at a conservative Melbourne firm called Darvall McCutcheon and then at Slater and Gordon. At that time, Stevenson began his radio career in 1985 on community station 3RRR where he partnered with fellow lawyer Denis Connell on a show called Lawyers, Guns and Money, a reference from a Warren Zevon song ("Send lawyers, guns and money, the shit has hit the fan").

After four years building a cult following at 3RRR Stevenson and Connell were recruited by 3AK and joined by anchorman Dean Banks. In 1990 they crossed to 3AW where they continued to build audience following. Connell was sacked in 1991 by program director Steve Price.

For the following 10 years Stevenson and Banks established themselves and their style as a ratings success. In December 2000, Banks decided to retire; again leaving Stevenson to find a new partner.

Stevenson is now partnered with John "Sir Lunchalot" Burns, where they remain Melbourne's highest rating radio show. Stevenson is the highest paid radio presenter in Melbourne, and is one of the few 3AW announcers who does not make overtly right wing commentary on air.

In 1971 at 14 years of age, Ross also featured on the Colleen Hewitt song "Day By Day" as a choirboy, produced by Molly Meldrum.

Interests

* Hawthorn Football Club

External links

* [http://www.3aw.com.au 3AW]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/thegames/ The Games]
* [http://www.mrjohnclarke.com/html/SWF/flash.php?page=G The Games on John Clarke's official website]
* [http://www.mrjohnclarke.com/index.php?page=O4 The Royal Commission on John Clarke's official website]