Ben Fordham will replace broadcaster Alan Jones, who is stepping down on advice from his doctors, as the host of 2GB’s breakfast program.
Fordham, a Walkley award winning journalist who has won Best Talk Presenter in Australia five times, is moving from the competitive drivetime slot.
“I feel a sense of both responsibility and opportunity," says Fordham.
"There’s a huge responsibility in taking over from Alan and the opportunity to bring my own flavour to breakfast.
“Alan is the most successful broadcaster in the history of Australian radio. There will only ever be one Alan Jones. My first taste of radio was as a 15-year-old work experience kid on the Alan Jones breakfast show. I can’t quite believe that all these years on I’m taking over the position he’s made his own”.
Tom Malone, Nine’s managing director radio: “For decades 2GB’s breakfast show has set the agenda for Sydney and the country, and Ben will continue this great legacy and bring his unique energy to the show.”
Fordham joined the Nine Network in 1999 and has been a leading reporter on A Current Affair, and a senior journalist for Nine News, including stints on the Today show, 60 Minutes, and working with Laurie Oakes in the Canberra Bureau.
Nine also confirmed it would look to introduce a local breakfast program to 4BC in Brisbane. An announcement on this will be made later.
“With Ben in Breakfast, Ray Hadley in Mornings - broadcasting to more than 30 stations across the country, Deb Knight in Afternoons, and a new Drive host to be announced, we know we have the right team to build on 2GB’s great position as the #1 radio station in Sydney.” saysMalone.
“Meanwhile in Brisbane we know 4BC deserves a local breakfast program and we will be making an announcement on this in the coming weeks.”
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