Ray Hadley has made a major career announcement live on-air

Legendary 2GB host Ray Hadley has made a major announcement on-air today, after news.com.au revealed his plans early.

EXCLUSIVE

Legendary 2GB host Ray Hadley has revealed he is retiring from his top-rating program, declaring it’s time for “someone else to do that job”.

Just after 9:30am Hadley, 70, announced he was bringing forward his announcement after the bombshell news broke on news.com.au just after 9am.

“So December 13 will be my last day broadcasting,” he said.

“It’s been a hell of a ride from a young bloke who wanted to call the races. But the time has come for someone else to do the job.

“Apparently the story has broken somewhere. There’s always a leak somewhere, so I may as well do it now, earlier than I anticipated,” he said.

“Sometimes you can’t keep things secret, and I suppose in the media, that’s what happens.

“I’ve achieved far more than I ever thought I would. My children, Dan, Laura, Emma and Sarah, have made sacrifices over the years for me to realise my ambitions.

“Seven years ago, I had no grandchildren. Now I have seven. Over three years ago, I married the most amazing woman, Sophie, for over 18 years she’s been my colleague now, she’s the most supportive, calming loving wife anyone could ask for. And she deserves a break.”

Ray Hadley makes his announcement in the studio. Picture: 2GB

The powerful Sydney broadcaster has rated number one in Sydney since 2003.

But in a decision that’s sent shockwaves through radio ratings, Hadley has told management and his fans that it’s over.

News.com.au has been told that key staff were made aware of the announcement ahead of the big news.

Ray Hadley is set to retire from his top-rating program. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

There was no mention of the bombshell changes during his handover chat this morning with breakfast announcer Ben Fordham.

It follows his decision to speak out over the plight of women at Nine following allegations of misconduct by executives in the TV and current affairs decision.

Tributes flow for “fearless” broadcaster

NSW Premier Chris Minns led to the tributes for Hadley calling in to his show shortly after the news broke.

“Ray, you shocked us all. What a massive day in New South Wales radio, and a huge loss for Sydney in particular,’’ Mr Minns said.

“We’re genuinely going to miss you. I’m in shock at the moment. It’s a distinguished career. It’s an incredible legacy.

“But if I was someone up in one word, I would just say fearless, a broadcasting career that’s been completely fearless, and you’ve never, ever pulled your punches in something that you believe in.

“I’ve been on the other end of that times, but I’d like to say we can also convince you sometimes as well.”

Emotional Hadley pays tribute to his family

Just after 10am Hadley’s son Daniel made a rare appearance on the program as the two men wept over the broadcaster’s extraordinary legacy.

“Cheering me up, coming through the door with my broad shouldered son, Daniel,” Hadley said.

“I mentioned the fact that you guys sacrificed a lot when you were little without really having a vote on it, but we’ve got through all of that. You’re now a proud dad of three beautiful little kids, You’re going good. And apparently you’re the general manager of investigations of Racing New South Wales.”

Hadley’s son Daniel then paid an emotional tribute to his dad as both men appeared close to tears.

“Obviously, you’re not only the most influential broadcaster in Australia, but you’ve been the best dad to me,” Hadley said of his father, 70.

‘True patriot’: Peter Dutton on Hadley’s legacy

Liberal leader Peter Dutton, a good mate of Hadley’s, revealed on air he was tipped off about the bombshell news by the broadcaster but kept mum on the big secret.

“You’re only 70 years of age. President Trump just got elected. He’s 78, so what a good excuse have you got?,” Dutton quipped.

“I’m shocked to hear your announcement at a personal level, I’m very happy for you because you’ve got a demanding job and to spend more time with family and doing the things that you love outside of radio will be important.

“You deserve that after a lifetime of hard work, but I am devastated in terms of the fact that you contributed so significantly on behalf of your listeners, to the betterment of our country and you’re a true patriot mate. You fought for a lot of good causes.

“You really are part of Australian culture, and it’ll be difficult to tune into 2GB and not listening to you. To go out, as Deb Knight said, on your own terms, is something you deserve.”

2GB’s $9 million man

Hadley’s $9 million contract reportedly makes him the network’s highest paid talent.

The Australian reported last year that his broadcast deal, which was set to see Hadley, then 68, remain in the morning show hot seat until the end of 2026, means the radio host pockets around $3.5 million annually, maintaining his position as Nine’s most bankable star.

By comparison, comedian Hamish Blake earns around $2 million per year for his hosting gig on Lego Masters.

But radio insiders say Hadley was now ready to retire and move into the next phase of his life after years of gruelling morning radio wake up calls.

He previously hosted breakfast.

Start of a legend

His extraordinary radio career started in 1981 when he picked up 2UE Radio News Director, Mark Collier, in his taxi.

He had been a successful auctioneer in Sydney for a number of years but yearned for a life as a race broadcaster.

Hadley then started as a traffic reporter for legendary Sydney broadcaster Gary O’Callaghan. covering Rugby League and was calling races with Des Hoysted. He was appointed full time at 2UE in July of 1983, being paid $19,500 per annum. He stayed there for 19 years before moving to 2GB.

He started at Macquarie Radio Network’s (MRN) 2GB in December 2001, at the request of Australian radio boss John Singleton. His first broadcast on 2GB was breakfast on December 24th 2001. He continued in that role until Alan Jones arrived in March of 2002.

In 2017 he was inducted into the ACRA Hall of Fame. Hadley is the most awarded broadcaster in the history of the ACRAs.

Hadley has four adult children and lives in Sydney’s northwest and spends as much time as he can at Main Beach on the Gold Coast where he has an apartment.

2GB stalwarts: Ray Hadley and Alan Jones. Picture: Mark Evans

Elephant in the room

Demanding that “cover-ups must end” in the wake of the damning report, the veteran broadcaster canvassed shock allegations on his top-rating program that an executive was accused of touching a female employee “on the bum”.

Regrettably, he told his listeners there could be some truth to the allegation because there used to be “a groper” working at Channel 9.

“That may well have happened previously,” Hadley told 2GB listeners on Friday.

“There was a groper working here at one stage. The groper is gone.”

Hadley added that “most of this stuff I should mention is in relation to Nine TV”.

He then drew attention to concerns over a female alleged to be bullying staff.

“Now this one is troubling,” Hadley said.

“She was there to make sure I didn’t say anything that I didn’t complain.

“So it appears that some people at Channel 9 TV were part of the boys club, even though they weren’t boys.

“Some of them are no longer in the business, but unfortunately, some are still in the business. There can’t be a cover up simply because someone is a powerful person, be they a presenter or a manager, there can’t be a cover up anymore. It’s got to end.”

News.com.au understands Hadley is set to make the announcement today. Picture: Supplied

Hadley said that he had always acted to protect female staff and despite being previously accused of bullying himself that he was proof positive that people can change.

“Change is possible. I’m living proof of that,” he said.

During the discussion of the culture report, Hadley said that his own career was proof that people can learn and change.

“As you all know, 10 years ago, I decided my rather robust way of dealing with some matters had to change, particularly in relation by dealing with men I work with given I’ve always had a record of treating women with respect and supporting them, I’ve applied the same rule for the last decade to men,” he said.

“But some of the stuff coming out today is really alarming and even alarming to me, and I’ve been around for 40 years. I’ve seen it all in the media.

“I have, of course, five granddaughters and two grandsons. I have three daughters. So in many respects, I think about the young women I work with as my daughters … I think about what Judgement I’d make if my daughter was subjected to something like this.

“We all have to do better at Nine Entertainment, we have to do better. And that starts with the chair, and she wants to do better. It starts with the board. They want to do better.”

His comments came after Today show host Karl Stefanovic urged Nine to call out “perpetrators” of bad behaviour with a confession that he believed the “good men” of the broadcaster had let women down.

“Many people are hurting,’’ he said.

In the wake of the devastating personal testimonies of Nine staff who say they were bullied and sexually harassed, the TV host said he was devastated by the stories that had emerged.

Echoing the concerns of Nine stars including Deb Knight and Dimity Clancey who raised concerns at a meeting on Thursday, Stefanovic said he understood concerns that the report didn’t “name names”.

“They feel like what was the point of speaking out if perpetrators are not called out? I asked the same question yesterday and it’s my understanding several investigations are now underway and we have to be patient for the process of all that,” he said.

“It’s essential and it’s critical. I want to say it’s not about us, but there are good men who do work here at Nine who find what happened absolutely intolerable, who struggle to understand how we didn’t know more and do something, how it grieved you.

“I feel like we have all in a way, let you down. I love my work colleagues here. Women I have the honour to present with women on the floor of this great show.

“Women behind the scenes who make us all better. I’m grateful women are this company and they are the way forward. They will show the way. We just have to listen and act.”

Originally published as Ray Hadley has made a major career announcement live on-air