Nothing beats the adrenalin of being on air when there’s a big story breaking such as last week’s Federal Government Leadership Spill.

Talk PDs across the country were undoubtedly a little miffed a peak listening event such as this fell during a non-ratings period.

But holidaying presenters and news journos were even more devastated – with many feeling downright ripped off they weren’t at work to be part of the action.

3AW’s Neil Mitchell wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines. He returned from leave, unseating his senior producer Justin Smith who is the regular fill-in host when Mitchell takes a break.

Mitchell was also back on air today to be there for the announcement of the new Federal Cabinet.

Smith laughs off any suggestion that he would have been upset by this.

“Neil always comes back in because he likes a big story,” he says.

“That will never change, and that is probably one of the major reasons why he does so well.”

Smith says he is happy to vacate the chair and return to his production role when Mitchell chooses to be there, saying it is all part of the fill-in presenter gig.

“I still get to be part of the story and that’s the main thing,” he says.

One Canberra-based 2GB news reporter was thrilled to receive the call for a return to work from maternity leave on the night.

2GB’s acting news director Natalie Peters says Caelin Worthington made child care arrangements so she could be there.

“Like any decent journo, she loves to be part of the team to bring a big story to the audience,” says Natalie.

In some cases a facebook status was the only way to write anything on the day. Holidaying 2UE news journalist Sarah Hall lamented: “Actually itching to be at work today!” with a friend responding: “Always the way, take time off work and miss out on all the fun.”