Chris Smith is FIRED by 2GB as Ray Hadley launches a ferocious takedown
>
Chris Smith has been sacked by 2GB following his disgraceful behavior at the Sky News Christmas party.
Nine’s general manager of radio, Tom Malone, said: “Chris’s behavior represents a serious breach of his contract and is not aligned with 2GB’s values.”
He says the media company has provided support to Smith in recent days and will continue to offer that support as needed.
Smith admitted that his behavior was unacceptable and apologized for his “drunken treatment” of the women.
It comes after Ray Hadley criticized Smith in a searing trial over his former colleague’s drunken behavior.
Hadley described Smith, 59, as “a disgraceful person” after Smith allegedly made lewd comments at a New Year’s Eve party on Saturday, bringing a co-worker to tears.
Although Hadley is on a 2GB license, she called out the show hosted by her summer replacement, Mark Levy, to gut Smith on Tuesday, alleging that Smith has a history of “cheating young women.”
Hadley began by acknowledging that she had fallen out with Smith in the past, stating, “I wish him no harm.”
He then went on a tirade about Smith’s character, calling him “a drunken fool” and hoping the disgraced broadcaster would be fired.
Chris Smith has apologized for his drunken behavior towards his female colleagues at the Sky News Christmas party and revealed that he has checked himself into a mental health facility. Smith is pictured with his wife Susie Burrell, who left the family home on Sunday.
Although Ray Hadley is on leave from 2GB, he called the station to eviscerate Smith claiming that Smith has a history of ‘cheating young women’.
The 2GB breakfast host echoed earlier calls from Sky’s Andrew Bolt and Rita Panahi that his colleague has lost his job.
Bolt called for the suspended broadcaster to be fired during a segment of more than three minutes on his Sky show on Monday night.
‘I don’t think so [Smith] should never go back to a network,” Hadley said Tuesday.
“I would be very surprised if he ever returns anywhere, and I would say that the radio and television industry will not be any poorer for him.
It will be much better for him to leave him. So bon voyage to the bad trash,” Hadley said.
‘I am ashamed to be a former colleague of [Smith’s]and I hope I never have to work with him again,” Hadley said.
“I am beyond heartbroken and devastated to learn that I have upset my colleagues after our Christmas party,” Smith (pictured above in an earlier feature) said Monday afternoon.
Sky presenter Rita Panahi (above) also spoke about Smith during her show. “What she did on Saturday night, how she made a number of women feel, means that, in my opinion, she can never be on this network again,” she said Panahi.
‘My sympathy is with the young women who have been monstrous for him not only this time but also before. He is a shameful person.
Smith was suspended by Sky News over the scandal, which occurred on Saturday night, and the fallout continued to worsen for him after he was sacked by 2GB.
His wife, the famous nutritionist Susie Burrell, is believed to have moved out of the family home with their twins.
He has since apologized for his “humiliating” behavior and checked himself into a mental health facility.
He blamed addiction and bipolar disorder for his actions, the same excuse the veteran broadcaster used for inappropriate conduct at a 2GB Christmas party 13 years earlier.
In a statement released Monday afternoon, Smith apologized for his behavior and said the incidents at the party did not reflect his behavior at work.
“I am beyond heartbroken and devastated to learn that I have upset my colleagues after our Christmas party,” Smith said.
I apologize profusely to the women I upset. That’s not the man I am at work, ever, as everyone attests. They have been very supportive of me and do not deserve such drunken treatment.’
Smith blamed the events on bipolar disorder and alcohol addiction, saying: “I have a recurring problem with alcohol … it makes me manic.”
Hadley criticized Smith for using the same excuses again when he called 2GB on Tuesday.
‘Young women should be protected, they shouldn’t go to Christmas parties and be tricked by drunken fools and that’s what happened in this particular case and I have no sympathy for him, I’ve heard it all. [his excuses] before: “I’m bipolar, I drink too much, I’m a monster when I drink,” Hadley explained.
We’ve heard it four or five times over the years.