John Riddell (presenter)
John Riddell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 September 1956 |
| Occupation(s) | radio and television presenter |
| Known for | co-anchoring Seven News in Adelaide; co-hosting the Mix 102.3 breakfast show |
| Television | Seven News, Today Tonight, The World Around Us, The Crows Show, SA Decides, SA Weekender: Book Them Out |
John Anthony Riddell (born 23 September 1956) is a retired Australian broadcaster known for his work in television and radio.
He gained prominence through a three-decade career at Seven Network's Adelaide outlet, SAS-7, where he served as the main presenter of Seven News from 1990 until his retirement in 2019.
Career
Riddell's media journey started with a cadetship at Messenger Newspapers in Adelaide before he transitioned into radio roles at 5DN and as an international correspondent for the Macquarie Radio Network. While reporting in London in 1979, he was mistakenly removed from Australia House during coverage of the assassination of Lord Louis Mountbatten.
He then moved into television, initially working for TVW-7 in Perth, followed by a position at Adelaide's NWS-9 beginning in 1981. After nine years there, he joined SAS-7 to present weekend editions of Seven News. In 2005, he assumed the weeknight anchor role alongside Jane Doyle, establishing a long-term partnership on air. Additionally, he occasionally hosted the Adelaide segment of Today Tonight, the documentary series The World Around Us, and the AFL program The Crows Show, despite being an ambassador for Port Adelaide.
Riddell also fronted Seven's coverage of South Australian state elections but later expressed reservations about continuing to host election broadcasts.
In radio, between late 2007 and early 2012, he co-hosted the breakfast show on Mix 102.3 with Jason "Snowy" Carter and Jodie Oddy. Alongside Carter, he initiated the annual West End Mighty River Run charity event benefiting Novita Children's Services. He made a brief return to radio in June 2012 as a guest presenter on Triple M Adelaide's Hot Breakfast program.
Following his 63rd birthday in September 2019, Riddell retired, delivering his final broadcast of Seven News on 6 December 2019. After retiring, he briefly returned to co-host a special "Book Them Out" episode of SA Weekender addressing the impact of the 2019–20 South Australian bushfires on the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island.
Personal life
Upon retirement, Riddell and his wife sold their apartment at Holdfast Shores and moved to Victor Harbor, South Australia.