Inside the Alan Jones-Ray Hadley rivalry: How long-running feud between the stars culminated in radio kingpin 'blocking' his stablemate from taking over his plum job
- Ray Hadley claims he is 'comfortable' not being named as Alan Jones successor
- Jones, 79, announced his retirement on Tuesday, with Ben Fordham taking over
- Hadley had long been expected to fill Jones' shoes and came very close last year
- After a series of controversial incidents, 2GB management looked to oust Jones
- They had planned for Hadley to take over as breakfast host, but backflipped
- Hadley, 65, and Jones have long had a healthy competition within 2GB corridors
- Their relationship soured over the failed Hadley move and George Pell debate
The no-nonsense broadcaster many expected to take over from Alan Jones claims he is 'very comfortable with the decision' to give the station's top job to Ben Fordham.
Ray Hadley has long been tipped to fill the enormous shoes left behind when Jones hung up his headphones, having himself been a key part of 2GB's ratings success.
As recently as last year Hadley, 65, was on the verge of being named breakfast host, as Macquarie Radio management considered moving on from the ever controversial Jones before an eleventh hour change of heart saw him remain on the airwaves.
But the 79-year-old's shock announcement that he will retire on May 29 was quickly followed by the unexpected news that Fordham - not Hadley - will take his place.
While the pair have had a healthy rivalry for the best part of two decades, their relationship has reportedly soured in recent times, with clashes and tensions evident on-air after their respective radio deals and Jones' outspoken support for Cardinal George Pell.
Ray Hadley (left), the man many expected to take over from Alan Jones (middle) as breakfast host on 2GB, claims he is 'very comfortable with the decision' to instead give the job to Ben Fordham (right)
Hadley (pictured with fiancee Sophie Baird) had almost been given the coveted breakfast role by 2GB management last year, before an eleventh hour backflip saw them offer Jones another contract. Jones' contract was due to end in 2021, while Hadley signed on until at leas 2025 on a reported $4 million a year
Despite missing out on the coveted morning gig, Hadley on Tuesday paid tribute to Jones at the top of his show at 9am, before also revealing he had called Fordham to ensure he understood the enormity of his new job.
'My success has been off the back of his success,' Hadley said, referencing the fact Jones brought a large number of new listeners to 2GB when he crossed from 2UE.
'His replacement Ben Fordham, I called him this morning and told him he is padding up to replace Bradman.
'I have been kept fully informed about Alan's retirement and Ben replacing him.
'I am supportive of management's decision to give Ben the job, I don’t think it would have been the correct decision to have given the breakfast role to a 65-year-old.
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'I have a very loyal band of listeners… (and) I'll support Ben Fordham to the best of my ability.
'We will be talking frequently.'
When Jones announced he was retiring, he also distanced himself from the decision to appoint his successor, telling his listeners he had 'nothing to do with the appointment or my successor and nor should I'.
This is despite reports that Jones was largely responsible for getting Fordham a start on 2GB in 2010, covering for Hadley when he was on leave.
Hadley and Jones are understood to have not spoken for several months largely off the back of tension over the mornings host's failed move into the breakfast position.
While most of their stoushes had played out in private, tensions became evident on air last month with the pair having different views over the treatment of Cardinal George Pell.
Despite reports that he has not spoken to Jones for months, Hadley paid tribute to his long time colleauge on Tuesday, saying: 'My success has been off the back of his success'
Jones moved quickly to claim he had no involvement in picking his successor, despite having long been friendly with Fordham and his famous late father John
Hadley blasted his colleague for 'poorly researched rubbish' and claimed he wanted to say more, but 'good taste' prevented him.
Just hours earlier Jones had spoken to staunch Pell supporter and fellow Sky News host Andrew Bolt, who took aim at Hadley.
'I need Ray Hadley to apologise now, I was very hurt, he did a rant calling me creepy accusing me of creepy behaviour for defending George Pell,' Bolt said.
To which Jones responded: 'Ray has very strong views as you know about this whole question on paedophilia and in many instances has fought a campaign to bring to justice those people who are responsible.'
'I am sure in his heart of hearts he regrets those comments as well,' Jones added.
Like Jones, Hadley has been no stranger to controversy over the years and is facing allegations of bullying from his former panel operator Chris Bowen.
Like Jones, Hadley (pictured) has been no stranger to controversy over the years and is facing allegations of bullying from his former panel operator Chris Bowen. Hadley is accused of 'vile' abuse towards his long-time employee, including homophobic slurs and calling him a 'bald, fat c**t'
In a civil suit currently before the NSW Supreme Court, Hadley is accused of saying 'vile' slurs to Bowen, including calling him a 'a bald, fat c***'.
Hadley has previously apologised on-air for his 'shortcomings' and admitted Bowen's departure from 2GB was 'one of the saddest days' of his broadcasting career.
The mornings host last year signed a new deal keeping him at 2GB until 2025, with his reported annual salary now at $4 million.
Jones will be paid out his contract, essentially pocketing $4 million for nothing.
Hadley said on Tuesday morning that this contract would likely be his last on radio.
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