2GB radio host Ben Fordham predicts Alan Jones comeback
2GB host Ben Fordham has made a surprising prediction about the future of Alan Jones after the veteran broadcaster announced his departure from Sky News.
NSW
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Alan Jones may have left Sky News but the veteran broadcaster will be back, according to a former colleague.
Jones hosted his final 8pm program with Sky on Thursday night, announcing hours earlier he would leave the network after eight years by revealing his multimillion-dollar contract would not be renewed for 2022.
But 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham, who took up media veteran Jones’ throne at the AM radio station last year, hinted the 80-year-old may yet make a comeback.
Speaking on 2GB Friday morning, Fordham weighed in on Jones’ departure from Sky, claiming that while it wasn’t “his business” to discuss the broadcaster’s departure, it wasn’t yet “the end” for him.
“It‘s not my business to be commenting on Alan’s future, it’s up to Alan,” Fordham said.
“But on the question of ‘is this the end of Alan Jones’ career?’, if you think that you don’t know Alan Jones.”
Fordham wished his radio mentor “good luck”, and joked Jones would have more time to spend with his great-nieces and nephews “for a little while, at least”.
Jones left 2GB in May 2020 after 35 years in radio and 226 ratings wins, citing doctors’ orders that he slow down and reduce his media commitments.
The veteran broadcaster published a lengthy post on Facebook detailing his departure from Sky on Thursday morning.
“I write in my regular Thursday column to advise you that the management at Sky News have indicated to me that they will not renew my contract, which ends on November 30,” Jones wrote.
“ … May I say, I have enjoyed my experience thoroughly. I have had nothing but support from people in the backroom of Sky News who rarely get a mention; and, apart from my contribution towards raising the viewer numbers, I hope I have also contributed to the morale of the organisation.“
Fellow 2GB host Ray Hadley also weighed in on Jones’ departure shortly after the broadcaster announced the news on Thursday morning, sharing his belief that Jones’ career was over.
“It’s a shame that he’s gone out in that manner given his unparalleled success in radio over 30 years of broadcasting,” Hadley said.