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Explosive claims have emerged about a bitter falling-out between Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little as their decade-long radio partnership comes to an end.
The pair announced this week that their national Hit Network drive show would finish at the end of the year, with Bickmore preparing to make a move to rival broadcaster KIIS FM.
But while listeners were left devastated by the news, industry insiders have claimed the relationship between the former co-hosts has deteriorated dramatically behind the scenes.
One source described the situation as a 'nasty rift', alleging the two are barely able to be in the same room together when they are not broadcasting.
'Carrie and Tommy are not speaking,' they claimed to the Daily Mail.
'Things are so toxic, you barely get them in a room together if the mics aren't on.'
Explosive claims have emerged about a bitter falling-out between Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little as their decade-long radio partnership comes to an end
The allegations mark a dramatic contrast to the seemingly close friendship that made them one of Australian radio's most popular duos – and fuelled years of speculation that their relationship extended beyond the studio.
Romance rumours first gained traction in early 2023, after Bickmore announced her separation from her partner of 11 years, Chris Walker.
Little was also single at the time, having split from his former girlfriend Natalie Kyriacou in 2021.
The timing prompted fans to question whether the pair's famously flirtatious on-air chemistry was translating into something more.
Despite the speculation, neither has publicly confirmed a romantic relationship.
Now, as their professional partnership comes to an end, sources have dismissed the notion that the two are an item, with one well-placed industry insider describing the gossip as 'laughable'.
'The rumours couldn’t be further from the truth,' they said, noting that while it's possible they had been romantically involved in the past, that was absolutely no longer the case.
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.
One source described the situation as a 'nasty rift', alleging the pair are barely able to be in the same room together when they are not broadcasting
One insider alleges Bickmore discreetly began negotiations after discovering Carrie and Tommy would not be renewed.
'Carrie realised their show wasn't being renewed and began talks solo,' the source said, adding: 'Tommy figured they would go to a rival network as a package deal.'
The spy alleged Bickmore secured the deal without Little's knowledge.
The move is also raising questions about who will ultimately join Bickmore in KIIS FM's national drive slot, previously occupied 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.
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