Ben Fordham lives his dream and makes radio No.1 — after Jodie and new bub

BEN Fordham winds up his stint on Channel 9’s Today show today after inking a new deal with Nine to contribute to its slate of news programs.

BEN Fordham winds up his four-year stint on Channel 9’s Today show today after inking a new deal with Nine to contribute to its slate of news programs next year, ­following a three-month break.

Fordham confirmed to Confidential he last month signed ­contracts with Nine and 2GB after making radio as his primary media commitment in 2015.

“I have signed on for three more years with both Nine and 2GB with the blessing of (Nine boss) David Gyngell who has been a great supporter of my radio ­career and who, frankly, promoted me for the radio job in the first place,” Fordham said.

“I realised this year, though, after knocking back the TV job of my dreams — a gig on 60 Minutes earlier this year — that my greatest career dream had long been to have my own radio show. I’ve felt like that since I was about 12 years old so, after working long days for four years, radio is coming first — well, after Jodie and the baby.”

Fordham has been juggling two jobs for the past four years — a daily appearance as sports anchor on Nine’s breakfast show Today along with an afternoon 3pm-6pm shift on 2GB.

He finishes up on Today this morning and next Friday is due to become a father for the first time when his wife, Seven Network reporter Jodie Speers, is due to give birth.

Ben Fordham / Picture: Mark Evans

“I have been promising Jodie for a long time, ‘just one more year. Just one more year’. Now that I’m going to be a dad, I don’t want to miss it.”

The decision looks to take him out of contention to one day assume the role as successor to Today host Karl Stefanovic, a role most have assumed he’d want.

“I may fill in for him in the ­future as I move around ­contributing to Nine’s shows — 60 Minutes, A Current Affair, Nine News, Today, Mornings and sport,” he said.

“Karl is an enormously talented and versatile bloke and broadcaster and I’ve enjoyed being his right-hand man — we’ve struck up a bit of a repertoire — one that hasn’t always gone down well with everyone, hey Annette — but it’s been great fun.”

He further said he isn’t in any great hurry to replace 2GB’s leading breakfast and morning talk presenters, Alan Jones and Ray Hadley, in their lucrative AM slots at 2GB.

“I want Alan Jones and Ray Hadley to go on for another hundred years ‘cos then I know I’m on a great radio station,” he said. “With a new baby and a strengthening afternoon audience on GB, the afternoon slot suits me just fine.”