‘If you’re listening mate, the past is in the past’: 2GB host Ben Fordham tries to bury the hatchet with tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios after he called him ‘a tool’ and said ‘he belonged in a straightjacket’
Ben Fordham has tried to let bygones be bygones with tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios after comments he made on his radio program a few years ago.
The 44-year-old 2GB host spoke about the matter with Fitzy and Wippa on Thursday morning, after it was revealed he and Nick, 26, would both be hosting the upcoming season of Australian Ninja Warrior.
‘I’ll tell it chronologically,’ said Ben after Ryan Fitzgerald asked about the controversy on air.
‘If you’re listening mate, the past is in the past’: 2GB host Ben Fordham has tried to bury the hatchet with tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios after it was revealed both men would host the upcoming season of Australian Ninja Warrior. Pictured from left to right: Ben Fordham, Nick Kyrgios, Rebecca Maddern, Shane Crawford
Ben then recalled how years ago Nick was behaving ‘very badly’ on the tennis court.
‘I went out on air,’ Ben said, before he recalled saying Nick was ‘a tool’ and that he belonged ‘in a straightjacket.’
‘I said he needs to be medicated, he needs to go into a straightjacket, he is a tool,’ said the radio star. ‘Then Ninja Warrior says to me, “oh so we’ve got a new co-host for you”.’
After asking who the co-host was the producers confirmed that it was Nick.
Served: Ben recalled how years ago Nick was behaving ‘very badly’ on the tennis court and he called him a ‘tool’ and needed to be in a ‘straightjacket’ on his radio show
‘I said fantastic!,’ Ben recollected. ‘Because these days Nick Kyrgios, I really think he’s captured the love in the respect of the Australian public.’
The 2GB host then admitted that while he meant what he said about Nick at the time, he believes the tennis pro has turned a new leaf.
Ben subsequently recalled an incident where Nick was ‘really good’ when he confessed to a journalist that ‘Ben is probably with a lot of people that thought I was a tool a few years ago and now they think differently about me.’
Changed man: The 2GB host then admitted that while he meant what he said about Nick at the time, he believes the tennis pro has turned a new leaf
‘Well, you’re not face-to-face with him yet mate, he might still have a crack at you,’ Fitzy joked.
‘Well I’m seeing him this Sunday, we’re getting together to watch episode one together,’ Ben responded.
He then directed a message to Nick – ‘If you’re listening mate, what’s happened in the past is in the past, we move forward.’
The first episode of the fifth season of Australian Ninja Warrior airs on Channel Nine this Sunday.
Let bygones be bygones: Ben revealed he and Nick (pictured) are getting together this weekend to watch episode one of the new season of Ninja Warrior