Matt Okine To Replace Tom Ballard At Triple J

Youth public broadcaster triple j have announced that comedian Matt Okine will be the station's new breakfast host following the departure of Tom Ballard.

Okine will join Alex Dyson from 2014 after Ballard announce he would be leaving the station last week. A respected stand-up comedian in his own right, Okine currently hosts Thursday FC on SBS2, a weekly program on the A-League national football competition.

He has performed at Homebake, Edinbrgh Fringe, Sydney Comedy Festival (where he won Best Of The Fest in 2013) and Montreal Just For Laughs.

In other staff news Hack presented Sophie McNeill won't be returning after maternity leave with Tom Tilley to retain his post there. Other talent The Doctor, Zan Rowe, Lewi McKirdy and Linda Marigliano all have contracts as weekday presenters in 2014.

Ballard wll be farewelled at Sydney's The Metro Friday 13 December, with the new team starting Monday 13 January.