Marilyn Denis concluded her 40-year tenure at Toronto’s CHUM 104.5 with a final broadcast on Friday morning, announcing her departure to listeners who had followed her since 1986.
During the farewell, Denis described hosting the morning show as a privilege, noting that she had written down her thoughts to ensure nothing was forgotten. She thanked friends and family across Canada and the United States for their support, paid tribute to the behind‑the‑scenes teams, and expressed gratitude to the station’s parent company for a gracious exit.
Denis reflected on her deep pride in CHUM, calling the station’s audience—from children with transistor radios to commuters and mobile listeners—the heartbeat of the broadcast. She closed the show with a nostalgic look back at her first interview at CHUM FM, recalling the song “All I Need Is a Miracle” by Mike and the Mechanics that marked the beginning of her career.
The final month of her run drew tributes from a range of public figures, including singers, actors, and comedians. Michael Bublé, Jann Arden, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, and Donnie Wahlberg called in to celebrate, while media personalities Jeanne Beker, Alan Frew, Bryan Baeumler, and Gerry Dee expressed admiration for Denis’s influence and generosity.
Denis’s broadcasting journey began in 1976 as the first female DJ at KRPL in Moscow, Idaho, before moving to Calgary where she held multiple radio and television roles and freelanced for a national sports network.
Her audition for CHUM 104.5 in 1986 led to a long‑standing partnership with co‑host Roger Ashby, establishing her as a recognizable face in Toronto radio. Ashby retired in 2018, praising Denis for her role in the show’s success, and returned for her final broadcast to highlight their instant chemistry.
Following Ashby’s departure, Denis co‑hosted with Jamar McNeil, rebranding the program as “Marilyn Denis and Jamar.” When McNeil left in 2024 to join another drive‑time show, Denis partnered with David Corey, and the program was renamed “The Marilyn Denis Show.”
Denis’s television career spanned 34 years, including a 13‑season run of her eponymous daytime show that ended in 2023. Prior to that, she hosted the long‑running program “Cityline” from 1989 to 2008.
The morning slot on CHUM 104.5 will be taken over by Nat Hunter and Josie Dye, who announced their excitement about continuing the legacy. Hunter described the opportunity as an honor, while Dye expressed enthusiasm for engaging with the station’s audience.
The new show, titled “Nat & Josie,” is scheduled to debut on July 6.
