Explosive claims have surfaced over an alleged bitter breakdown between Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little as their decade-long radio partnership approaches its end.
The pair announced this week that their national Hit Network drive-time program will conclude at the end of the year, while Bickmore is reportedly preparing to join rival broadcaster KIIS FM.
Although the announcement left many listeners disappointed, industry sources claim the former co-hosts’ relationship has deteriorated significantly away from the studio.
One source characterised the alleged dispute as a “nasty rift”, claiming Bickmore and Little can barely tolerate being in the same room when they are not live on air.
“Carrie and Tommy are not speaking,” the source told the Daily Mail.
“Things are so toxic, you barely get them in a room together if the mics aren’t on.”
Explosive claims have surfaced over an alleged bitter breakdown between Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little as their decade-long radio partnership approaches its end
The allegations present a stark contrast to the close friendship that appeared to define one of Australian radio’s most popular duos—and fuelled years of speculation that their connection extended beyond their professional partnership.
Romance speculation intensified in early 2023, after Bickmore announced her separation from Chris Walker, her partner of 11 years.
Little was also single at the time, having ended his relationship with former girlfriend Natalie Kyriacou in 2021.
The timing led some fans to wonder whether the pair’s famously flirtatious on-air dynamic had developed into something more.
Neither Bickmore nor Little has publicly confirmed that they were romantically involved.
Now, with their working relationship coming to an end, sources have rejected the idea that the pair are a couple. One well-placed industry insider reportedly described the rumours as “laughable”.
“The rumours couldn’t be further from the truth,” the source said, while suggesting that although the pair may have been romantically involved in the past, that was no longer the case.
The alleged rift comes as Bickmore is said to have negotiated a move to ARN separately, rather than as part of a joint deal involving Little.
One source described the alleged dispute as a “nasty rift”, claiming the pair can barely be in the same room when they are not broadcasting
According to one insider, Bickmore quietly began discussions after learning that the Carrie and Tommy show would not be renewed.
“Carrie realised their show wasn’t being renewed and began talks solo,” the source claimed, adding: “Tommy figured they would go to a rival network as a package deal.”
The source further alleged that Bickmore finalised the deal without Little’s knowledge.
The reported move has also prompted questions about who will partner Bickmore in KIIS FM’s national drive-time slot, previously held by Will and Woody.
One industry source claimed ARN was struggling to find her a permanent co-host.
‘Her drive show is looking like Carrie and Friends, with a rolling roster of co-presenters. It really isn’t the most promising start,’ they said.
Meanwhile, the Carrie and Tommy Show’s cancellation is also said to have blindsided staff, who had spent weeks seeking clarity from management and remained hopeful of securing new contracts before learning the program would not return.
The reported rift comes amid claims Bickmore has been negotiating a move to ARN independently, rather than as part of a package deal with Little
The show’s axing followed months of uncertainty, with staff reportedly left in the dark about their futures and frustrated by a lack of communication
A source said Carrie and Tommy cost more than $5million a year, while its replacement drive show, hosted by Lu and Jarch (pictured together), is reportedly budgeted at about $1million
Sources say some team members were disappointed by the handling of the announcement and had hoped for more time to process the news before it became public.
The decision comes amid broader cost-cutting pressures across commercial radio following the merger between Southern Cross Austereo and Seven West Media, with executives said to be scrutinising expensive talent-led programming.
A source said Carrie and Tommy cost more than $5million a year, while its replacement drive show, hosted by Lu and Jarch, is reportedly budgeted at about $1million, with the presenters earning approximately $500,000 each.
‘SCA is run by bean counters these days,’ added the insider.
While no further shake-ups have been announced, the axing of Carrie and Tommy has fuelled speculation that other long-running radio shows, including Fifi, Fev & Nick, could also come under review.
According to the latest industry rumours, KIIS FM Melbourne has its sights on Fifi Box to replace breakfast hosts Ash London, Isaac Smith and Elliot Garnaut in 2028, as management already expects the trio to flop in the highly competitive market.