Peter Helliar will lead Melbourne’s Triple M breakfast show in 2008. He replaces The Cage which will not continue next year.

Austereo Melbourne’s general manager Ben Amarfio has told radioinfo Helliar will headline the show, which is yet to be named.

“Pete is one of the best comic talents in Australia and we’re absolutely thrilled to have him on Triple M next year. Being a Bundoora boy, he is a great Melbourne identity and he knows and loves this city. He will no doubt bring his own unique observations on Melbourne life to the show.”

Amarfio says Hellier is an “accomplished radio talent,” who is familiar with ther Austereo network from his time on Today stations a few years ago. The network has been looking for the right opportunity to get him back on air.

Helliar says the opportunity to do breakfast radio in his home town was “irresistible.” Footy loving Hellier finds Triple M’s relationship with footy “as the number one AFL radio broadcaster” is also handy bonus.

“Given my two boys wake me up at that time of day anyway I figured why not get paid for it. I look forward to putting together a great team over the coming months – Strauchanie is already in the other room recording his ‘gotcha’ calls. I don’t think Bucks is too impressed.”

Hellier created the “Straughnie” Collingwood football character as a vehicle for some of his footy humour.

As well as his radio work, Hellier is also well known for his roles as one of the stars of Channel Ten’s Rove and the football show he recently left, Before the Game.

As reported a few weeks ago on radioinfo, James Brayshaw had already pulled out of The Cage lineup for next year, preferring to concentrate on his football calls. Since then doubts had continued about he future of the show.