Former radio host Marty Sheargold has been terminated by Triple M following his controversial remarks on women’s health and sports, which sparked widespread outrage. The incident occurred on Monday, February 24, 2025, when Sheargold, while discussing his own back injury on his drive show, made a series of dismissive and sexist comments about endometriosis and the Australian women’s football team, the Matildas.
In his broadcast, Sheargold compared his own pain from a back injury to the struggles women face with endometriosis, trivializing the severity of the condition. “I’ve done me back. It’s no secret… I’ve got a heat pack behind my back… thank you to Whitney Plowman for bringing her period heat pack… because, God, don’t ladies carry on?” he remarked. His comments were immediately perceived as disrespectful, particularly in relation to the real and debilitating effects of endometriosis, a condition affecting nearly one million Australian women.
Sheargold escalated the controversy further by stating, “Honestly, endometriosis — and this is controversial… it’s made up.” Endometriosis, which involves tissue growing outside the uterus, often causes chronic pain and fertility issues. The inflammatory nature of Sheargold’s comments was met with swift backlash from many, including Bridget Hustwaite, former Triple J host and author of How to Endo. Hustwaite condemned Sheargold’s remarks, stating, “There is nothing funny about a disease causing organs to stick together or about being told you may never have children.”
The former radio host also faced criticism for belittling the Matildas, Australia’s national women’s football team, during the same broadcast. “They remind me of year 10 girls… now I’m sorry to undermine the whole sport, but that’s what I think of it, so you can stick it up your arse,” Sheargold quipped, referring to the Matildas’ participation in the SheBelieves Cup. His remarks were met with condemnation from Football Australia, which released a statement expressing its disapproval and emphasizing the significant achievements of the Matildas in both sports and societal impact.
The fallout was immediate, with social media users and public figures expressing their disgust at Sheargold’s comments. Triple M, owned by Southern Cross Austereo, acted swiftly, announcing Sheargold’s termination on Wednesday, February 25. The company issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to upholding high programming standards and responding to the concerns of listeners. “Right now, it’s clear this is a moment for reflection and review,” the statement read.
In a bid to address the backlash, Sheargold later issued an apology, acknowledging that his comments had missed the mark and that he understood the offense they caused, particularly to those involved in women’s sports. “Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes,” he said, though many felt his apology fell short in addressing the broader societal issues his comments highlighted.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the ongoing challenges faced by women in both health and sport, raising questions about how these issues are portrayed and discussed in the media. Georgie Tunny, journalist and producer, commented on the situation, reflecting on how the incident exposed a deeper issue of sexism in media. “I like Marty… but there will be people who think he has been hard done by with this. To those people, I just say get a new sense of humour,” she said during an appearance on The Project.
This incident has underscored the importance of media figures handling gender-related topics with care and sensitivity. The continued conversation about Sheargold’s dismissal serves as a reminder of the responsibility that broadcasters and public personalities have in fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all audiences.
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