2GB Drive host Chris O’Keefe quits

Just hours after talkback radio titan Ray Hadley farewelled the station’s listeners for the last time, Chris O’Keefe told his audience he was leaving the same day.

Chris O'Keefe said he plans to start a political and media advocacy business.

Nine Radio is losing another high profile talkback host, after Sydney drivetime presenter Chris O’Keefe announced on-air on Friday that he was quitting 2GB, and leaving the media industry altogether.

Just hours after his 2GB stablemate Ray Hadley farewelled the station’s listeners for the last time after two decades as host of the station’s morning show, O’Keefe told his audience that he was leaving the same day.

“Today is my last show here at 2GB. This is entirely my decision, I have decided to finish up not only in radio but in the media,” O’Keefe said on-air on Friday afternoon.

“It’s been a difficult decision, and one I have been wrestling with for many, many months. As much as I have enjoyed my time here at 2GB and my 13 years at Nine, the time is right for me to make the call to move on.

Ray Hadley broke down in tears as his family gathered in the studio during his final day on air. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“I’m a young father, and I am looking at what the next 10 years looks like for me and my family. And as we all do from time to time, I have had to answer this question. What’s next?

“I am going to open my own political and media advocacy business, to help clients navigate their projects or issues through the maelstrom of government and public opinion.

“I am excited about it, and I know I can make it a success.”

O’Keefe has hosted 2GB’s drive program for two years; prior to that he was a TV journalist with Nine News.

In recent weeks, there has been media speculation that O’Keefe was in the running to replace Hadley in the prestigious mornings timeslot, but that position was ultimately awarded to Mark Levy.

A replacement for O’Keefe will be named at a later date.

O’Keefe, 43, is married to Fox League presenter Yvonne Sampson.