upstart’s political editor Ryan Jon is in the running to co-host FOX FM’s breakfast show, the highest rating breakfast program in Melbourne.

Matt Tilley – one half of the long-running Matt and Jo Show – is following his lifelong dream to head over to the Tour de France, leaving a vacancy in the hosting duties. To fill the gap left by Tilley, FOX have given one lucky listener the opportunity to co-host six episodes of the breakfast show with Jo Stanley. That lucky listener could be Ryan.

Ryan has had experience in community radio, having done stints with SYN and KissFM and as an avid radio listener he had no hesitation in applying for the role.

‘It’s a pretty random and unique opportunity’, he told upstart.  ‘I don’t think radio will ever be a career for me, but it will certainly be a fun and enjoyable few weeks.’

Ryan’s video application for the position included an endorsement from Senator Steven Conroy, saying that without Ryan, Fox FM’s commercial broadcast license would be in danger.

With the competition narrowed down to the final three, FOX FM is currently digging for dirt on Ryan, speaking to his mum on Monday morning with ex-girlfriends and school teachers lined up for interviews later in the week.

The winner of the competition will be announced on Friday morning.

To vote for Ryan in the ‘You and Jo Show’ competition, head over to the FOX FM competition page.

Ryan Jon is upstart’s political editor. He is currently doing a thesis in business at Swinburne University while also completing a graduate diploma of journalism at La Trobe University.