One of Nine’s most popular stars has sent shockwaves through the industry after announcing he would be leaving the network – and journalism – with immediate effect.
Former television reporter and talkback radio host Chris O’Keefe, 43, made the surprise announcement on his 2GB drive-time program at around 3.30pm on Friday.
The multi-award winning journalist said he struggled with the decision for months before finally deciding it was time ‘to move on’ and resigned last week.
“I have some news to share this afternoon,” O’Keefe said.
‘Today is my last show here on 2GB. This is entirely my decision, I have decided to end up not only in radio but also in the media.
“Today is my last show and my last day in journalism.
‘It has been a difficult decision and one I have struggled with for many, 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 decision to move on.”
Chris O’Keefe says he wants to spend more time with his ‘extraordinary’ wife Yvonne Sampson (pictured together) and their young son, Henry, following his shock dismissal from Nine Radio
Chris O’Keefe, 43, (pictured) has been on 2GB for two years after being lured away from Nine’s Sydney news team after a decade on television for the network
O’Keefe’s announcement comes on the final day of the radio industry’s viewing season of the year – and just hours after fellow 2GB star Ray Hadley left his show for the final time in two decades on Friday morning.
It is understood that O’Keefe, who is highly regarded by both his colleagues and network management, had more than a year left on his lucrative $400,000 per year contract with Nine Radio and made the decision to leave entirely on his own terms to stop. .
He handed in his resignation to Nine Radio boss Tom Malone a week ago but decided to keep the news secret until his final show as he did not want to distract from Hadley’s farewell tour.
The father-of-one said he was looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Fox League presenter Yvonne Sampson, and two-year-old son Henry, and wanted to offer his own family the same care and attention he received growing up.
“Personally, I want to thank my mom and dad Shellie and Greg who instilled in my sister Lauren and me a work ethic and decency that allows us to do what we do,” he told his listeners.
‘I often think I wish I could be the parent that mum and dad were to me, but I realize that the bar is set very high because they are just that good.
“And look, I would be nothing without my wife, Vonny. She is the most special person.
“She is by far the most talented and respected sports broadcaster in Australia, but people don’t know the half of it.
Chris O’Keefe says his wife Yvonne (pictured together) taught him the meaning of resilience
The loving couple welcomed their son Henry almost two years ago (photo)
‘Vonny has taught me a resilience that I didn’t know I had in me. Her resilience and kindness are otherworldly. My God, I’m lucky.
‘It’s funny that we got together when I was still a cub reporter and Vonny hadn’t started doing the rugby league broadcasts yet.
“And every step of our lives together, she has celebrated and supported our successes. It’s been twelve years and it feels like it’s been five minutes.
“That’s gotta be the mark of a great relationship, right? I love her so much I know how lucky Henry and I are.”
O’Keefe, who cut his teeth as a television producer at Channel Ten before being poached by Nine’s Gold Coast agency, said he would still have some involvement with the media after deciding to leave to establish his own political and media advocacy organization.
His departure will cause headaches for Nine Radio’s management team, who will now have to spend the summer looking for a replacement for Driving Time.
It comes after they announced just this week that Wide World of Sports presenter Mark Levy would succeed Hadley in the critical morning timeslot.
Nine sources said the loss of O’Keefe, who has been with 2GB for two years after a decade in Nine’s TV news teams in Brisbane and Sydney, would have a huge impact on the entire network.
“It’s an incredible loss for Nine,” a senior insider told Daily Mail Australia.
‘It’s not just his radio show, he still shares stories for the 6pm news bulletin on television and is a huge success on every platform.
“He is also a man of integrity, an excellent team player and a great mentor to all young journalists who come through the newsroom. So I’m happy for Chris and Vonny, but it’s a huge loss.’
Looking back on his two-decade career, O’Keefe attributed much of his success to his own “incredible mentors.”
O’Keefe has praised breakfast radio colleague Ben Fordham (right) and Nine Radio head of content Greg Brynes (pictured)
‘I was lucky enough to have someone at Channel Ten give me a message on their nightly news desk [and] It’s been a wild ride since then,” he said.
‘It was an absolute privilege. A privilege I have never taken for granted.
“I grew up at Nine. And there are too many people to thank. But I will mention a few in particular, because they deserve it.
‘Tom Malone, [Nine Radio head of content] Greg Byrnes, [and content manager] Luke Davis here with 2 GB. The trust they place in me is exceptional.
‘Tom in particular, his decency and generosity do not go unnoticed by the staff here at the radio station.
‘I would also like to thank Ben Fordham for his generosity in his opinion and advice. He is number one for a reason. Because he is human number one.
“John Stanley too, I’m sure our Dragons dribble will continue in earnest, Deb Knight who I’ve known since my first day as a full-time journalist.
“She is the personification of class, and Michael McClaren, who I have had the pleasure of getting to know and working with over the past 12 months. What an intellect he has.
“I have been fortunate to have some fantastic mentors over the years.”
Deborah Knight (pictured) was complimented by O’Keefe for being a great mentor
Nine radio boss Tom Malone and 2GB content manager Luke Davis
In a final monologue on his discharge, O’Keefe spoke at length about how grateful he was to have grown up in “the happy country.”
“We should all kiss the earth every day that we live in this great country,” he said.
“There are billions of people, just through the roulette game of life, who haven’t been lucky enough to live in Australia.
‘We can get free medical care when we need it, a job for those who want it, 13 years of free education, and the government pays the costs if you want to go to university.
“If you’re disabled, you’re taken care of, if you’re mentally ill, you’re taken care of. When you are old, you will get your pension and your nursing home paid for. If you are a child, you will be reimbursed for childcare.
‘We have rainforests, snow, beaches and the outback. Beautiful cities and extraordinary opportunities.
“All of this was and continues to be protected by generations of military personnel, allowing us to live this life.
“Australia isn’t perfect, but there are people in the world who think it’s pretty damn close. I’m certainly one of them, and I think sometimes we could be a little more grateful for that.”