Alan Jones was the king of morning radio. His arrest played out live on air

At 7.45 every morning before his retirement, Alan Jones graced the airwaves on his top-rating breakfast show. On Monday morning, his former employer 2GB covered his arrest live on air.

Jones, 83, was arrested in his luxury Circular Quay flat after a lengthy investigation by the State Crime Command’s child abuse squad into allegations he indecently assaulted, groped or inappropriately touched multiple young men.

Alan Jones on air in 2019.Credit: Nick Moir

At 8.07am, during the middle of Jones’ old radio slot, Ben Fordham was joined by senior Nine crime reporter Simon Bouda to discuss the arrest with listeners of 2GB.

Herald chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont was also interviewed on air to explain the indecent assault allegations against Jones. Jones hosted the breakfast slot from 2002 to 2020.

“This is a story that’s obviously close to home for us here at 2GB because as I said at the time when these allegations were first printed in The Sydney Morning Herald, they involve people who used to work at this radio station. One of them being Alan Jones, another one being one of the alleged victims,” Fordham said.

2GB and this masthead are owned by Nine Entertainment.

Ben Fordham covered Jones’ arrest live on the air on Monday. Credit: Louise Kennerley

Fordham went on to read the initial statement from Jones’ legal team denying allegations detailed by this masthead. Fordham summarised the Herald and The Age investigation on air on Monday, including allegations that Jones had “wandering hands”.

Fordham covered updates on the arrest throughout the morning as detectives and a lawyer arrived at Jones’ home. He said 2GB staff were trying to contact Jones directly on Monday morning.

During his broadcasting prime, Jones would have been getting ready to hand over the airwaves to morning host Ray Hadley at 8.45am. On Monday, the hand-over segment was all about Jones.

“Well, the one thing we all have to do is make sure justice is not in any way interfered with by comments made by broadcasters like me,” Hadley said.

A friend and colleague for decades, Hadley worked closely with Jones. Their relationship deteriorated when one of Jones’ alleged victims disclosed his complaint to Hadley.

The morning host opened his show with news of the arrest.

“Obviously, I worked alongside Alan Jones for three decades but as I’ve mentioned ... my relationship with Alan soured five years ago and I can’t discuss why it soured now, even though it was reported earlier, given that there are allegations, serious allegations against him,” Hadley said.

“My main concern at the moment is for the alleged victims who are obviously seeking justice in relation to these matters.”

Hadley, who recently announced he would retire from his mornings slot, called out “idiots” in the 2GB text line who asked if his imminent departure had anything to do with the allegations against Jones.

“This had nothing to do with my decision ... at some time in the future those reasons why I’m not commenting on it today will become patently obvious to everyone.”

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT) on 1800 737 732.

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