Patricia Karvelas accepts there’ll be a ‘period of grief’ for lost host as new RN Breakfast era begins

Patricia Karvelas, who takes over Radio National Breakfast from long-time host Fran Kelly, believes ABC management handed her the role because she is ‘battle-hardened’ and no longer easily provoked by online trolls. Photograph: Jackson Gallagher/The Guardian

Patricia Karvelas is not fazed by a daily 3.30am start and exudes the confidence and enthusiasm of someone who can anchor an agenda-setting national news program like ABC’s RN Breakfast.

But “PK”, as she is known to listeners and colleagues alike, is well aware that audiences generally don’t like change. Radio National listeners are sure to miss the calm and assured voice of Fran Kelly, who hosted the flagship radio show for 17 years before stepping down last year to take up a less gruelling role at Aunty.