‘He’s happy’: Ben Fordham personally called Alan Jones during negotiations to take over his role at 2GB and received the radio legend’s blessing
Ben Fordham is reportedly on good terms with Alan Jones as he prepares to take over his role at 2GB.
According to Sydney Morning Herald, Fordham personally called Jones during negotiations ‘to hear for himself if the maneuvering was on [Jones’] terms.’
Jones, 79, is said to have given Fordham, 43, his blessing to take over his spot as the host of 2GB’s breakfast show.
Good terms: Ben Fordham (pictured) is reportedly on good terms with Alan Jones after calling the radio legend personally during negotiations to take his coveted breakfast spot on 2GB
‘Alan gave Ben his blessings, and from there it was a done deal, Alan is happy Ray [Hadley] doesn’t get his old slot, and quite frankly Ray is happy to see how it plays out from afar,’ a source close to the radio stars told Private Sydney.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to both Fordham and Jones for comment.
While there’s no drama between Fordham and Jones over the role, Fordham is said to be on less money than the $4 million a year Jones was earning at the station.
‘Alan gave Ben his blessings’: Jones, 79, (pictured) is said to have given Fordham, 43, his blessing to take over his spot as the host of 2GB’s breakfast show
And despite receiving Jones’ blessing, Fordham wasn’t the radio legend’s first choice to replace him.
In 2017, the 79-year-old told Studio 10’s Angela Bishop that broadcaster Michael McLaren would be the perfect person to take over his coveted role as host of 2GB’s breakfast show.
The interview resurfaced last week after Jones officially announced his retirement and Fordham was named as his replacement.
First pick: In 2017, Jones told Studio 10’s Angela Bishop that broadcaster Michael McLaren would be the perfect person to take over his coveted role as host of 2GB’s breakfast show
‘There’s a young man who precedes me, midnight to dawn, very young, I think he’s absolutely outstanding,’ Jones told Studio 10 of McLaren.
‘I think he’s outstanding and I think he could do my program tomorrow. Management most probably don’t think that.’
Jones continued to criticise 2GB executives and said that he knew better than the network’s senior management.
‘I’m not to sure how much management in these things know about radio,’ he said.
‘There’s a young man who precedes me, midnight to dawn, very young, I think he’s absolutely outstanding,’ Jones told Studio 10 of McLaren (pictured)
‘You’ve got to be behind a microphone to know.’
McLaren started his on-air radio career in 2011 and currently hosts Overnight with Michael McLaren on 2GB.
Jones, who is Australia’s most influential radio broadcaster, will retire at the end of the month after 35 years dominating the airwaves.
He made the shock announcement to his 2GB listeners on Tuesday morning, telling them he had been told by doctors it was becoming detrimental to his health.
Farewell: Jones, who is Australia’s most influential radio broadcaster, will retire at the end of the month after 35 years dominating the airwaves