Radio sports host Davis sad to be departing

Miles Davis. Photo / Doug Sherring

Popular radio host Miles Davis is leaving his post after deciding not to renew his contract this year.

The 53-year-old has been the host of Afternoon Sport on Radio Sport for four years.

He has worked on and off with the network for about 13 years and said he would be sad to leave.

"I've really enjoyed it. But the management has decided they're going to have a change of direction and that's just the nature of the beast. It's the nature of life," he said.

"I've just taken it in a positive way. I look at it now as an opportunity to do other things. If I choose to look at it negatively then it will get me down."

Davis said he had enjoyed forming relationships with his listeners over the years and recalled some of the events he had covered.

They include this year's Rugby World Cup and last year's Fifa World Cup, for which he travelled to South Africa as part of the commentary team.

That team won the Best Event - Team Coverage - award at the NZ Radio Awards last year.

But there is one talkback issue that stands out for him.

"The one that I will never forget was when, in 2007, the knightly All Blacks had been knocked out by France in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final - it was like grief counselling."

Davis said he received dozens of messages from listeners.

"I've been overwhelmed with the love - sometimes it gets a bit embarrassing, people ringing up all the time," he said.

"Every day. Calls, emails from all over. I've been really touched by it considering I'm quite an obnoxious Pom who sometimes upsets people - I've been surprised how affectionate people have been."

He plans to continue to work in the media.

"I certainly don't intend to go back and do a proper job if I can avoid it," he joked. "I can't afford to sit down and do nothing. I can type 60 words a minute; I'll go out and temp if I have to."