Lewd behaviour which saw Chris Smith lose his broadcasting jobs revealed

Broadcaster Chris Smith was dumped from his Sky News and 2GB gigs for inappropriate behaviour after a work party. Here, colleagues detail a series of incidents which led to Smith’s sacking.

Sky News Australia insiders have lifted the lid on what happened after an end-of-year Christmas party which resulted in host Chris Smith being fired.

Smith, 60, on Monday said he had checked himself into a mental health facility and apologised to the female colleagues left in tears by his behaviour at the weekend.

He was suspended from his Sky News Australia show and from Nine’s 2GB where he was due to fill in on Ben Fordham’s breakfast show after allegedly behaving inappropriately towards colleagues after the Christmas party on Saturday.

The actual formal festive celebration was held at The Ivy Sunroom on George Street in the Sydney CBD at lunch time, from noon to 5pm, with guests kicking on later at The Establishment.

Sky News Australia and 2GB personalities publicly denounced Smith in the days since the party, with Ray Hadley, Andrew Bolt and Laura Jayes leading the chorus of condemnation at Smith’s actions.

Chris Smith has been dumped from his television and radio jobs following incidents which happened after a work Christmas party. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Both organisations have since announced his termination from employment.

Now, Sky News staff have detailed what Smith allegedly did at the party to warrant the decision.

“The truth is Chris Smith was walking through the Establishment (the venue some Sky staff went to after the official Christmas party) like a dinosaur with a huge ego,” one guest noted. “He was actually thinking these women would be interested in him. It is revolting.”

Smith allegedly grabbed one female colleague on the bottom towards the end of the night before she turned around and punched him twice on the shoulder and told him to “f**k off”, a Sky News employee who wished to remain anonymous said.

Another female was allegedly subjected to lewd comments about recent holiday photos posted to social media.

Chris Smith and his partner Susie Burrell who has moved out of their home. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“He said something to the effect of, ‘your holiday looked beautiful, you had some good side boob going on’.

One woman witnessed the incident and said Smith used the word “sexy” multiple times, as well as “side boob”.

The Sky News employee said Smith also commented on the appearance of another woman and there was a lot of people warning others to stay away from Smith.

The Sky News employee said staff appreciated the actions taken by the women accosted by Smith on the night and the move by Sky to suspend him within hours. 2GB soon followed suit on the Sunday after the event and yesterday both terminated his contract.

“They are all pretty strong women, they know how to defend themselves,” the employee said.

“They are not wall flowers. But they are just fed up and calling it out. They called him out on it on the night and he just didn’t get it.”

Generic/file photo of Chris smith. 2GB radio presenter, Chris Smith.

“People are very happy that it has been taken seriously. No-one wishes ill to Chris Smith, but they certainly don’t want to work with him ever again.”

Smith released a statement on Monday apologising for his actions but colleagues have now called him out on the “joke” of a response.

“I am beyond gutted and devastated to know I have upset my colleagues after our Christmas party,” Smith told The Daily Telegraph on Monday.

“I apologise profusely to the women I upset. That’s not the man I am at work, ever, as they will all attest. They have been so supportive to me and do not deserve such drunken treatment. I have a recurring problem with alcohol … it sends me manic. I am in a facility receiving professional help to deal conclusively with my abuse of alcohol and solve this once and for all, without qualification … it can and will be done.”

Sky News staff have slammed Smith’s statement.

“The lack of self-awareness is breathtaking,” one TV executive said. “Everyone thinks his response is a joke. He just simply does not get it. He obviously does not understand that he offended people. He issues some sort of footballer’s apology and then gaslights people by saying that he is not like that at work. The gaslighting was saying that these women will attest to that. It is like he is washing his hands of any responsibility by blaming bipolar and alcohol. Apparently he went to four Christmas parties that week, and nothing happened at the other three parties. So are we supposed to be grateful that nothing happened at 75 per cent of the events he attended? It is laughable and offensive.”