Disgraced broadcaster Chris Smith tipped to replace John Laws

Axed by a radio station and a TV station after inappropriate behaviour at a staff Christmas party, Chris Smith has been given yet another lifeline, and is expected to replace John Laws.

Disgraced broadcaster Chris Smith is tipped to be announced as the presenter to replace John Laws on the 2SM radio network.

Smith’s controversies include allegations of inappropriate behaviour at workplace events and a history of suspensions from roles at media organisations, and this offers another chance to yet again rescue his embattled career.

He has hosted a nightly online opinion show – called Chris Smith Tonight – for ADH TV since being fired by 2GB and Sky News for inappropriate behaviour towards women at a staff Christmas party in 2022.

It’s expected that 2SM will announce Smith’s hiring, meaning he will be heard on its network stations across NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory each morning from 9am.

Radio listeners last heard Smith in 2022 when he was the high-rating host of the 2GB afternoon show.

Pictured at his home in Alexandria in Sydney is radio broadcaster Chris Smith. Picture: Richard Dobson

Independent broadcaster 2SM is considered somewhat maverick in the industry as it chooses not to participate in the GfK radio ratings surveys and therefore does not provide audience listener data.

John ‘Golden Tonsils’ Laws retired from the 2SM morning show last month after 71 years on air.

At the time that Smith was sacked, both Nine Radio and News Corp, the owner of this masthead, ruled he was in clear breach of his contract.

Smith, now 62, was drinking with colleagues at Sydney bar The Establishment after the Sky News Christmas party when the alleged incident took place.

Multiple eyewitnesses alleged at the time that Smith made a series of lewd comments to female colleagues before inappropriately touching more than one woman, leaving one in tears and forcing another to strike him.

Despina Priala and George Caralis, owners of 2SM Super Radio Network, congratulate radio star John Laws, at the end of his final show on 2SM Radio. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Smith claimed to have had no recollection of the events and blamed the lapse on bipolar disorder and alcohol addiction – the same explanation he gave for allegedly harassing four female colleagues at the 2GB Christmas party in 2009, when he was suspended but not dismissed.

No charges were ever laid in relation to the incidents and Smith wasn’t accused of any criminal wrongdoing.

In 1998, then chief of staff at A Current Affair, Smith exposed himself to female colleagues in the Nine boardroom after a farewell lunch. Weeks later, he was sacked after a further incident at a work dinner at an Artarmon restaurant.

“I have a recurring problem with alcohol … it sends me manic,” Smith said two years ago.

“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.”

At the time, respected 2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley said: “I am embarrassed to be a former colleague of his and I hope I never have to work with him ever again … so good riddance to bad rubbish.”

Pictured at home in Alexandria is dietitian Susie Burrell and disgraced broadcaster Chris Smith. Picture: Richard Dobson

2SM refused to comment when contacted, while Smith did not return calls.

On Thursday, Smith marked his sobriety on social media, posting: “2 years sober today! Easy. NOT! Thx to everyone who helped me get here. It’s removed so much s**t from my life and replaced it with so much more! Thx.”

Three talk radio morning shows in Sydney will have new presenters in 2025 following Laws’ retirement, Hadley’s from 2GB, and the axing of Sarah Macdonald by the ABC.

Mark Levy will host 2GB mornings in 2025.

It’s understood Hamish Macdonald has been in discussions about hosting the ABC Radio Sydney morning show.

It was announced last week that veteran TV and radio personality Ron Wilson will host a local Sydney breakfast show on 2SM next year.

The Smooth FM breakfast radio show that Wilson was the newsreader for rose 1.7 per cent to 10.0 in the radio ratings released on Thursday. The show is now sitting fourth overall in the breakfast slot, behind 2GB, KIIS and WSFM.