Who will replace Stan Grant on the ABC’s Q+A show

ABC breakfast radio presenter Patricia Karvelas has been tipped as the frontrunner to be the new host of ABC’s Q&A as Stan Grant prepares for what could be his final episode.

The veteran journalist with Indigenous heritage will step down from the role for an unknown period after Monday night’s program, citing exhaustion and persistent racial abuse.

After ten months in the role, Grant announced on Friday he’s taking leave after being subjected to ‘relentless racial filth’.

The sudden departure has left ABC officials scrambling to find an interim host with a week’s notice.

As Grant considers his future, it’s understood RN Breakfast host Patricia Karvelas could be the initial replacement for a minimum of two episodes from May 29, The Australian’s Media Diary reported.

Patricia Karvelas has been named as the frontrunner to replace Stan Grant in the interim

ABC Radio Melbourne host Virginia Trioli’s name has also been thrown around, having previously worked as an interim host in 2021 following Hamish Macdonald’s shock switch to Network Ten.

However, Trioli isn’t considered a long-term replacement due to ongoing ‘family issues’, which saw her take time off earlier this year.

Insiders host David Speers is unlikely to be considered, despite being in the role previously as a rotating host.

‘The circumstances which saw Grant’s Indigenous heritage become part of the online vitriol directed towards him mean that Speers, as a white male, is unlikely to be considered for the role – even on an interim basis,’ Nick Tabakoff wrote.

It comes after Speers hosed the broadcaster’s coverage of King III’s coronation earlier this month alongside Grant, who has received ‘relentless’ racial abuse since, which sparked his decision to step away.

Grant is rumoured to say more about his departure on Monday night’s program.

Fran Kelly and The Drum co-host Dan Bourchier could also be considered, the publication reported.

Dozens of media identities have publicly expressed their support for Grant in recent days, including Karvelas and Trioli.

Stan Grant (pictured) will take time off after Monday night’s Q&A program

ABC Radio Melbourne host Virginia Triolim (pictured) is also in the running

‘I like many have felt sick about the racial abuse Stan Grant has experienced and the bullying from media that should know better. Stan and I have often talked about how hostile it is to be identified publicly through the lens of your diversity. The hate has to stop,’ Karvelas tweeted.

Trioli added: ‘I’m appalled and saddened that Stan Grant, a brilliant broadcaster and thinker, has been forced from the ever-crucial contest of ideas. If this country can’t have a civil debate about recognition, racism and the legacy of colonialism then we are lost. I hope he returns soon.

Meanwhile ABC managing director David Anderson has apologised to Grant after the journalist claimed he didn’t feel supported by executives.

‘I am writing this because no one at the ABC – whose producers invited me onto their coronation coverage as a guest – has uttered one word of public support,’ Grant wrote in his column.

ABC Radio National host Patricia Karvelas (pictured) is among a host of media personalities who has public expressed support for Stan Grant

‘Not one ABC executive has publicly refuted the lies written or spoken about me. I don’t hold any individual responsible; this is an institutional failure,’ he added.

Mr Anderson apologised two days later. 

‘Stan has our full support. And he has always had our full support,’ Mr Anderson wrote in an email to ABC staff.

‘Stan makes an enormous contribution to conversations of national importance.’

Stan Grant has cited exhaustion and persistent racial abuse in his shock decision to step away