Paul Kent quits Triple M after on-air blow-up with Anthony Maroon

Paul Kent has left his position at Triple M, with the station saying he had a “differing view” about an on-air incident on the Sunday Sin Bin show that “went too far”.

Kent and Triple M released statements on Thursday afternoon confirming they had agreed to part ways.

Kent said the network had asked him to say sorry for his role in an on-air blow-up with commentator Anthony Maroon earlier this month, but he had refused to do so.

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Maroon stormed out of the studio following a heated blow-up with his co-hosts.

“Triple M Sydney confirms that Paul Kent has left the Sunday Sin Bin show,” a Triple M Sydney spokesman said in a statement.

“Events over recent weeks in relation to the incident on the Sin Bin went too far and we asked Paul Kent to offer an apology. Paul has a differing view and, on that basis, has made the decision to part ways with Triple M.

“We wish Paul the best and thank him for his contribution to Triple M’s NRL coverage.

“We look forward to continuing to inform and entertain Triple M listeners for the remainder of this footy season and beyond.”

Kent also released a statement to The Daily Telegraphsaying he wasn’t prepared to apologise.

“Triple M have asked me to apologise for the incidents that have occurred over recent weeks,” Kent said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

“I’m not prepared to do that, I have already gone on the record with my views on the matter.

“On that basis I’ve made the decision to move on from my role at Triple M. We part on good terms.”

What was the row about?

The drama started when NRL journalist James Hooper joked about Maroon and the Australian Taxation Office, which the radio presenter immediately took umbrage with.

“Hang on a minute, there is some breaking news here, I just got a text message,” Hooper started. “Hello this is the ATO, the Australian Taxation Office, we have an inquiry.”

Maroon responded by mocking Hooper for losing his driver’s licence: “I don’t have a problem with the ATO, I welcome it mate but I am just wondering when are you going to be back on the road Hoops?”

Hooper then said: “Why are you jumping around like a cat on a hot tin roof?”

Maroon continued: “I am fed up with it. I have asked you on air, I have asked you off air, I have asked you to stop and now I have told you I am hitting back. If I have got to cop it every week for five years, let’s have it out on air. This is absolute bulls***. We might get a walkout.

“Let’s keep going boys because when it comes to you three, I live a very boring life. I am blowing up because I am sick to death of it. Now I have known for three years you have not had a licence and I have not said anything on air. I have warned you 15 times, I don’t like this. I have been on air for 32 years, I am a professional. This particular issue I have probably raised on air and off air, I don’t know, 100 times. I have even sent emails to the powers that be … nothing. It never stops.”

Hooper chimed in: “You know the more you ask us to stop it, the funnier it gets.”

Maroon finished: “Mate, I don’t think it is funny, it has already caused me a lot of grief. I am not putting up with it anymore. I don’t like it. I have asked many, many times for it to stop. I am saying here and now, I am not even joking … I tell you what, I will leave you guys with it, OK.”

Maroon’s response

Maroon spoke about the incident on Friday, before Triple M’s coverage of Canberra’s win over the Bulldogs.

“If we have to mention it, I was a little bit upset. An incident occurred here last weekend,” Maroon said.

“Obviously I thought it went too far so I took off out of the studio.

“I just want to say thanks so much to the support of all the listeners who have bothered to stop me in the street and wish me all the best.

“I was at a function today with the boys and I got a similar reception which was absolutely wonderful.

“Not only that, I don’t need to say this, but Triple M management have checked in on me everyday and made sure I need what I need to get through these times, which is probably why I’ve spent most of my career here, and I’m very grateful to them.

“It’s onwards and upwards.”

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