2GB has been scrambling to find a replacement for disgraced broadcaster Chris Smith after he was dramatically sacked from his radio show and TV host role at Sky News Australia last week.
It was alleged he was drunk and behaved badly towards women at a Sky Christmas bash earlier this month.
Now a list of frontrunners has surfaced in the race for the coveted gig.
According to Media Diary, popular radio presenter Michael McLaren is the early frontrunner to take Smith’s job next year.
2GB has been scrambling to find a replacement for disgraced broadcaster Chris Smith (pictured) in 2023, after he was fired from his weekend radio show for drunken behaviour at work Christmas party
McLaren is the host of 2GB’s weekday overnight program, which airs from midnight to 5.30am each weekday.
The well-respected journalist is currently filling in for Smith as the host of Weekend Mornings over the summer period.
Also in the running for Smith’s role is Overnight weekend host Luke Grant and former Channel 10 anchor Bill Woods.
According to Media Diary , popular radio presenter Michael McLaren (pictured) is the early frontrunner to take Smith’s job next year
Also in the running for Smith’s role is Overnight weekend host Luke Grant (left) and former Channel 10 anchor Bill Woods (right)
2GB fill-in presenter and former Studio 10 panelist Joe Hildebrand is also apparently in with a chance to snag Smith’s gig.
Smith’s regrettable actions have also caused a headache at Sky News, as bosses have been forced to rethink the network’s 2023 casting line-up.
Smith was slated to host a nightly 5pm program in Sky News in 2023 before he was stood down.
2GB fill-in presenter and former Studio 10 panelist Joe Hildebrand (pictured) is also apparently in with a chance to snag Smith’s gig
Smith was also fired from a hosting a luxury Mediterranean cruise – his third sacking in the space of a week.
Smith was axed by Travelrite International as a celebrity host on one of their cruises on Friday.
Earlier this month, Smith attended Sky’s end-of-year celebrations at Ivy Sunroom in Sydney before heading to the nearby Establishment with colleagues.
It comes after Smith was fired from a hosting a luxury Mediterranean cruise – his third sacking in the space of a week
It was there he was accused of inappropriately touching a co-worker and making crude remarks to several others, leaving at least one in tears.
Smith apologised for his conduct which he blamed on long-standing problems with alcohol and bipolar disorder, and has checked himself in a mental health facility.
Smith was previously suspended by 2GB following the station’s 2009 Christmas party where he behaved inappropriately towards several women and tried to kiss a female colleague.
Smith has apologised for his conduct which he blamed on long-standing problems with alcohol and bipolar disorder, and checked himself in a mental health facility
Smith’s long-time partner Susie Burrell (left) is meanwhile standing by him. The couple are pictured earlier this year
He was also demoted from his role as chief-of-staff at Nine Network’s A Current Affair after allegedly exposing himself at a farewell party in the late 1990s.
A former Nine Network colleague accused the embattled of exposing his genitals and pushing her up against a wall during an office party 24 years ago.
Sally, which is not her real name, alleged Smith had his zipper undone during a leaving party as she end her stint at Channel Nine’s flagship show A Current Affair in Artarmon, Sydney in 1998 – and said he only got a ‘slap on the wrist’ for it.
The female staff member told the Daily Telegraph Smith approached her while he was ‘a bit drunk’ at a Channel Nine do farewelling herself and two other colleagues, the show’s senior producer Fiona McKenzie and reporter Michael Willesee Jr.
Smith was her chief-of-staff at A Current Affair at the time, while she was the youngest worker in the office after scoring her job at the network straight out of university.
Smith’s long-time partner Susie Burrell is meanwhile standing by him amid the scandal.
Ms Burrell was reportedly seen leaving the marital home last Sunday after she learnt Smith had been accused of making lewd comments to women the previous evening.
However, a source close to the family has revealed she has not abandoned the father of her six-year-old twin sons and remains in regular contact with him.
‘Susie has not walked out on Chris, not before or since,’ the source said. ‘In fact, they are working together to survive this and rebuild.’
