Alan Jones to return after long absence

Veteran radio announcer Alan Jones will return to the airwaves on Monday after more than four months off-air due to ill health.

Jones, 75, initially went on leave in mid-November for back surgery but then had to undergo several neck operations in January.

Fellow 2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley, who's been filling in for his long-time colleague, told listeners on Thursday that Jones would be back on Monday.

The shock jock was due to start on March 6 but extended his sick leave until March 27.

Jones' lengthy absence has hurt ratings for the station.

Macquarie Media has suffered a 1.6 per cent drop in the Sydney breakfast slot in the first radio ratings survey of the year, across the January 22 to March 4 period, according to GfK.