Jesse Mulligan to replace Simon Mercep on RNZ

Jesse Mulligan is due to take over Afternoons on July 27. Photo / Richard Robinson.

Radio New Zealand has confirmed that columnist and comedian Jesse Mulligan will be taking over from Simon Mercep on Radio New Zealand's Afternoons show.

In a statement released this afternoon by RNZ's head of radio John Howson said the appointment would bring "a new and exciting flavour" to Afternoons.

"We're thrilled that Jesse is joining us. He has done a great job filling in on Afternoons in the past," Howson said.

Mercep's impending departure was announced last month.

He was moved to Afternoons in April last year as a shake-up of Morning Report when the show's co-presenter Geoff Robinson left.

Mulligan and Noelle McCarthy have both filled in on Afternoons when Mercep filled in for Jim Mora on Checkpoint.

Mulligan has previously worked as a writer, comedian, food critic and as a presenter on Seven Sharp and Best Bits.

The RNZ statement said he started out in student radio while completing his law degree at Waikato University, he then spent ten years as a commercial radio breakfast host in Wellington and Auckland.

In the statement he said he was "looking forward to bringing a new perspective to the Afternoons slot".

Mulligan is set to take over as the permanent Afternoons host on Monday July 27.

His appointment was quickly celebrated on Twitter.

The new host of Afternoons has been revealed! Welcome aboard @JesseMulligan http://t.co/5HqkRmbbmW

— Jesse Mulligan Afternoons (@JMulliganRNZ) July 17, 2015

Congratulations to @JesseMulligan - New RNZ Afternoons host.

— Bryce Edwards (@bryce_edwards) July 17, 2015

Big congrats on your new job @JesseMulligan #smashingit

— Toni Street (@ToniStreet) July 17, 2015