Parting shot ... 2GB host Jim ball, who has quit the station. Source: The Daily Telegraph
IT may be Sydney's leading radio station but all is not peaceful at 2GB with midnight to dawn host Jim Ball quitting yesterday - and taking a swipe at new drive recruit Ben Fordham.
Ball - who has spent nine of the past 11 years at 2GB - filled in for Ray Hadley over the summer and after so long in the graveyard shift felt shunned when Fordham, a relative radio newcomer, was appointed to drive last month.
"Appointing someone to a prime shift with little or next to no experience in talk radio, except on a fill-in basis, or someone without any demonstrated or proven ability, or ratings success in talk radio does seem rather odd to say the least," Ball said yesterday.
"It's not about Fordham as a person but myself and others have been overlooked by management for someone whose experience is limited."
Fordham last night told Confidential he had never met Ball, but believed his gripe was with management and not a personal issue.
Meanwhile, 2GB's former drive host Jason Morrison's contract with the station ended at midnight and he will now officially start as 2UE's breakfast hope from Monday - along with new recruits Michael Smith in afternoons and Paul Murray in drive.
The struggling talk station's entire on-air style and sound has been overhauled and will be launched the same day.
Have your say
Add your comment on this story