Grant Denyer reveals the brutal way he was axed from breakfast radio
Grant Denyer reveals the ruthless way he was suspended from breakfast radio – and why it shattered his confidence for years: ‘I burst into tears’
Grant Denyer is no stranger to getting “boned,” having been hired and fired by multiple employers during his years on camera.
And the Gold Logie winner, 45, has now spoken out about the most “brutal abdication” of his career – which actually happened on radio, not television.
Talking to the I have news for you podcast on Friday, Denyer revealed that his departure from 2Day FM’s Sydney breakfast show was probably his most painful dismissal.
He explained that losing a TV gig was an easier pill to swallow because “there are a million reasons why a show wouldn’t work,” but getting his marching orders from 2Day FM was hard because he had been told days earlier by a director that his future was certain.
“One that probably hurt, I think more than many [was] breakfast radio,” he said.
Grant Denyer has revealed the ruthless way he was suspended from breakfast radio – and why it shattered his self-confidence for years
“It really hurt because I had lunch a week earlier with a director who promised me they would sign me for another five years,” he continued.
“And a week later I’m finishing a show and at 9:05 I walk into a meeting and they’re like, ‘Well, that was your last show! I hope you enjoyed being on the radio!'”
“I burst into tears,” Denyer confessed, adding, “I was a blubbering mess.” I’ve been crying in the corner for a long time.’
Denyer said his resignation from 2Day FM was particularly difficult because he had put so much of his heart and soul into the program.
“That one hurt because you give so much of yourself in breakfast radio. You really have to open yourself up and you share a lot of deep, personal stories,” he explained.
Speaking to the I’ve Got News for You podcast on Friday, Denyer revealed that his departure from 2Day FM’s Sydney breakfast show was probably his most painful dismissal.
“You’re all stripped. Because there is such a need to deliver content and connect with an audience every day. You have to be vulnerable and give a little of yourself.
“When you give so much of your personal IP [intellectual property] and it’s still not enough, that really shocked me and rocked me for a few years.
‘I put a lot of effort into that. In fact, I went from having the most confidence I’ve ever had in my entire career to having the least confidence I’ve ever had.”
Denyer was hired for Sydney’s 2Day FM breakfast show in 2018, joining comedian Ed Kavalee (right) alongside co-host Em Rusciano, who was due to leave within a year. The show was later renamed Grant Ed and Ash when Ash London (left) replaced Rusciano
Denyer was hired for Sydney’s 2Day FM breakfast show in 2018, joining comedian Ed Kavalee alongside co-host Em Rusciano, who would leave within a year.
The show was later renamed Grant Ed and Ash when Ash replaced London Rusciano.
Despite the rebrand, the program failed to connect with listeners and was put out of its misery in August 2019 and replaced with a music playlist.
After news of the abolition broke, Denyer said, “I really enjoyed it. It’s nice to join an elite group of people who have been fired from radio.
“I tried my hardest, tried my best, and shared more than I should have.”