Sky News, 2GB host Chris Smith suspended amid investigation of Christmas party allegations

Sky News and 2GB host Chris Smith has been suspended while allegations he behaved improperly towards female colleagues at a work Christmas party are investigated. Friends say he is desperate to reach out and apologise.

Chris Smith has been suspended following allegations of inappropriate conduct after a work Christmas event.

Friends of suspended TV and radio presenter Chris Smith say he is at “rock bottom” and is desperate to reach out and apologise to the women he offended.

Smith, 60, was stood down from his Sky News Australia show and from filling in for Ben Fordham on 2GB breakfast this morning after allegedly behaving inappropriately following the Sky News Christmas party on Saturday.

“Chris is at rock bottom. I’ve never seen him this fragile,” the friend said. “He’s desperate to apologise to the people involved.”

‘GOOD RIDDANCE’: SKY NEWS STAFF TURN ON CHRIS SMITH AFTER SCANDAL

READ CHRIS SMITH’S FULL STATEMENT ON THE INCIDENT HERE

When news of his immediate suspension from Sky and then 2GB came through, his wife - celebrity nutritionist Susie Burrell - is understood to have moved out of the family home with their two boys.

Chris Smith’s actions after the Sky News Christmas party are under investigation by the network. Picture: Richard Dobson

“He’s just bought a house and is supporting four kids,” the friend said. “Suddenly he’s heading into Christmas with the prospect of losing both his jobs.”

Smith was due to stand in for Ben Fordham this morning and was still preparing for the show on Sunday when he was told he had been suspended.

Last minute stand-in John Stanley started the breakfast show on Monday morning saying: “Until the end of this year I imagine I’ll be doing the breakfast show here.”

Smith was with Sky News Australia colleagues at The Establishment in the city following the network’s Christmas party when the alleged incidents are said to have occurred.

It is the second time Smith has been taken off air for his behaviour after a drunken bender at 2GB’s Christmas party in 2009.

A Sky News Australia spokesperson said: “The person involved has been suspended while an investigation into the allegations is undertaken.”

“The welfare of our staff is our absolute priority. We have a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate conduct and take these allegations very seriously.”

It is understood Smith joined colleagues at The Ivy Sunroom at midday on Saturday and when formal proceedings finished kicked on to The Establishment with colleagues.

Ahead of the event Kath Butler, Sky’s general manager of HR, sent out a reminder saying “this is a work event so please be respectful of others as you do when in the office.”

However it is alleged Smith acted inappropriately with a number of female colleagues leaving one in tears and another striking him.

Sky News commentator Chris Smith and his dietitian wife Susie Burrell. Picture: Richard Dobson

Smith had rebuilt his career following the incident in 2009 and was about to be given a regular 5pm slot on Sky News, with the station now scrambling to find a replacement host and change publicity material.

A spokesperson from 2GB said Smith had also been stood down pending the investigation by Sky.

“2GB has been made aware of serious allegations against Chris Smith, arising from the Sky News Christmas party … Sky has advised they are conducting an investigation,” the spokesman said.

“Chris has been stood down from his duties at 2GB until the investigation has concluded.”

In 2009 he said he was drunk on champagne and red wine and “loaded on the wrong antidepressants” at the 2GB staff Christmas party and could not remember harassing four female colleagues.

Smith had rebuilt his career following another alleged groping incident in 2009.

“I was in a crazy extended drinking mode,” he said at the time.

“That has happened to me a few times over the last decade – I just black out and that’s what happened. I’m not saying by any means that that’s an excuse. It’s not.”

He said he was bipolar and an alcoholic for the incident which cost him his marriage to then wife Ali, mother of his two eldest children.

Prior to that he had been the subject of a number of stories about misbehaviour towards women at boozy parties including allegedly exposing himself to staff at Nine’s A Current Affair during a farewell party.

He also allegedly fondled the breasts of a newspaper reporter while drinking at a corporate event.

The Daily Telegraph has contacted Smith for comment.