2GB scrambling to fill Ray Hadley’s morning slot before Christmas

One of the station’s most well-liked and respected announcers is tipped as the frontrunner to take over Ray Hadley’s position at Nine’s flagship radio station 2GB.

Mark Levy is tipped as the most likely to take over Ray Hadley’s position at Nine’s flagship, 2GB.

Hadley revealed last month he would be hanging up his mic for good in December, leaving bosses scrambling to fill in his position this side of Christmas.

Much-favoured and well-liked Levy is tipped as most likely to take on the gig, having filled in for Hadley previously and impressed listeners and executives alike.

He has also been enlisted to fill in this summer.

“Levy is in the box seat to replace Hadley with filling in over summer acting like an audition for him,” one well-placed source told Sunday Confidential.

Ray Hadley announcing his retirement on air last month. Picture: Rohan Kelly.

Other names considered for the plum gig are Nine reporter Chris O’Keefe, talkback veteran Jason Morrison and afternoon announcer Michael McLaren.

“Confidential understands that the position will be filled internally and that the three frontrunners are Levy, McLaren and O’Keefe.

Mark Levy. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Chris O’Keefe.

“They are looking to sort it out this side of Christmas because they want it locked and loaded going into the New Year.”

Once that announcement on who will take on Hadley’s fiercely contested morning radio timeslot – which is syndicated across more than 30 outlets – they will then look to fill the other spots, but Confidential hears the priority is to stabilise the Hadley timeslot before they fill the other positions.

There is also a suggestion that, rather than replace Hadley with another three-hour program, they will extend it to four, however, insiders say that’s an unlikely proposition.

2GB host Michael McLaren who is in the running to replace Hadley. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Over at Channel 7, bosses have been busy trialling people to take Matt Doran’s position on Weekend Sunrise.

After five years as co-host, Doran announced his decision to leave the popular breakfast program last month, citing a desire to focus on his family and pursue new opportunities in storytelling.

It is believed it will be announced that Seven’s popular US correspondent David Woiwod will take on the gig.

Woiwod has been at Seven since 2016, following stints at Ten, Associated Press and Sky News UK.

“He is really impressive,” one insider said.

“They will announce it on air shortly.

“Viewers will love him.”

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