Ben Fordham admits he ‘cried his eyes out’ before his first 2GB breakfast show

Ben Fordham admits he ‘cried his eyes out’ over fears his 2GB breakfast program wouldn’t be a ratings hit after he took over from Alan Jones

Ben Fordham took over the reigns of Alan Jones’s top-rating 2GB breakfast program in June, last year. 

But on Wednesday, the radio star revealed he had previously declined the role several times because he was terrified he couldn’t emulate Jones’ ratings success.  

The 44-year-old said that the night before his first show, he was so nervous he ‘started bawling his eyes out’. 

Tears for fears: Ben Fordham has admitted he ‘cried his eyes out’ over fears his 2GB breakfast program wouldn’t be a ratings hit after he took over from Alan Jones 

‘I cried my eyes out. I was just so scared of what was happening,’ he said on the podcast So, I Quit My Day Job

‘I just started bawling my eyes out, and I said “I don’t know what I’ve done”… I’d always said to myself that I wouldn’t do it.’

Ben admitted that come ratings time, he was ‘absolutely packing it that it was going to be a disaster’.  

Passing the mantle: The radio star said he had previously declined the role several times because he was terrified he couldn't emulate Jones' ratings success

Passing the mantle: The radio star said he had previously declined the role several times because he was terrified he couldn’t emulate Jones’ ratings success

However, Ben Fordham Live officially became the Sydney’s most listened to AM radio program at the end of last year. 

In December, the final ratings survey of the year revealed that Ben had secured an impressive audience share of 17.1 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Channel Nine star was recently forced to pay a listener $1000 after an awkward on-air blunder.

He was hosting the radio station’s 2GB For Me competition last week, when he incorrectly claimed a caller named Kathy had won $1,000.

The competition requires listeners to answer the phone and say ‘2GB For Me’ before stating a code word.

After answering the phone, Kathy failed to say ‘2GB For Me’ and just stated the code word ‘winner’.

Success! However, Ben Fordham Live officially became the Sydney's most listened to AM radio program at the end of last year

Success! However, Ben Fordham Live officially became the Sydney’s most listened to AM radio program at the end of last year 

Ben then announced Kathy had won the $1000 prize money, before asking: ‘Hang on a moment, did you say 2GB for me?’

‘Kathy in fact has not won $1000 from 2GB because she didn’t say “2GB for me” but I made the mistake so I’ll cover the mistake,’ he said.

‘I’ll pay the $1000 to Kathy because I’m not going to have a situation where I’ve just told someone they’ve won $1000 then all of a sudden they don’t win $1000.’