Talkback shake-up: Frontrunners tipped to replace 2GB Drive host Jim Wilson

2GB host Jim Wilson had announced he will step down from the coveted drive shift, prompting many to wonder who will snatch the plum role. Vote in our poll.

Jim Wilson’s announcement he will step down from his high profile radio gig has left many wondering who will take his place.

The 54-year-old 2GB Drive host said he is looking towards his next broadcast chapter after announcing on air that Thursday’s drive shift would be his last.

“I love what I do and I’ve still got the passion to do more in the future,” Wilson said.

“There’s nothing like live broadcasting and I say bring on the next chapter.”

Speculation will now turn to who will replace Wilson in the coveted job with TV reporter Chris O’Keefe, husband of Fox Sports host Yvonne Sampson, widely regarded the most likely contender.

Jim Wilson in the studio's of radio broadcaster 2GB. Picture: Richard Dobson

Sports broadcaster Mark Levy, who regularly fills in during the absence of breakfast host Ray Hadley, may also be in the running for the afternoon slot.

Despite becoming embroiled in a heated dispute with a colleague, veteran journalist Chris Smith, who currently hosts the Weekends show at the station and regularly fills in for breakfast host Ben Fordham, could also be a contender.

Others have flagged 2GB’s Overnight show host Michael McLaren may step into the afternoon position or regular Drive fill in Luke Grant.

TV journalist Chris O'Keefe and, Fox Sports presenter wife Yvonne Sampson. Picture: Instagram

The news of Wilson’s departure comes a day after he registered a 6.6 per cent audience share in the GfK radio ratings, which places the show in sixth spot overall in drive.

It is a long way off the market leading ratings now breakfast host Ben Fordham achieved before he moved out of the timeslot.

Alan Jones. Picture: Tim Hunter

Mark Levy. Picture: Supplied

On air, he told listeners: “By the way, this decision to leave was actually made late last week, it had nothing to do with yesterday’s survey and that is the honest truth and I am sorry that we weren’t able to have some more fun. But anyway, we crack on.”

Wilson jumped to radio after decades as the loveable sports presenter on Channel 7 in July 2020.

Chris Smith.

It was a controversial decision and one that raised eyebrows due to the fact his experience until then had been mostly in television and sport.

At the time Wilson took over, Fordham’s drive show was consistently number one in the 3pm to 6pm timeslot and regularly sat at around a 10 and 11 per cent share of the market.

Wilson has never been the number one position since taking on the drive shift, although his ratings have gone as high as a 9.2 per cent share.

A senior industry source said: “Jim is one of the media industry’s genuine nice guys. But this is solid proof that choir boys don’t rate on talkback radio. You need mongrel to match it with (Ray) Hadley and (Ben) Fordham.”

Wilson has been able to claim top talkback though on the AM dial.

“I’ve been so lucky to have been given this opportunity and my listeners have been incredible, I’m going to miss them,” Wilson said.

It comes days after KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O tipped 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham off the top of the radio ratings.

“They’ve taken me into their lounge rooms, into their cars and to have been the number one talk show, in a super competitive slot, three out of the last four ratings surveys is something I’m very proud of achieving. In my 35 years in broadcasting, my mantra has been all about being fair and reasonable and true to myself. We’ve managed to help people and given them a voice on my program and that’s been the most satisfying part of the job – getting people a fair go.”

Wilson will continue with Nine, returning to television covering sport.

“What matters to me is integrity and being true to myself and to you,” he said.

“I have given this gig my all over two-and-a-half years and I am not into self indulgent sort of carry on, it is just not me, hence why tomorrow will be my last show. I don’t want some farewell tour of sorts and my biggest priority in making this decision was making certain I could tell you first.”