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Chris Smith has been fired by 2GB following his disgraceful behaviour at the Sky News Christmas party where the broadcaster conceded his behaviour was unacceptable, ‘apologising profusely’ for his ‘drunken treatment’ of women.
Nine’s Managing Director of Radio, Tom Malone said: ‘Chris’ behaviour represents a serious breach of his contract, and is not aligned with the values of 2GB.’
He says the media company provided support to Smith in recent days, and will continue to offer that support as required.
It comes after Ray Hadley blasted Smith in a searing judgement on his former colleague’s drunken behaviour.
Hadley described Smith, 59, as ‘a disgraceful person’ after Smith allegedly made lewd comments at the end of year party on Saturday, reducing a female co-worker to tears.
Although Hadley is on leave from 2GB, he called into the show hosted by his summer replacement, Mark Levy, to eviscerate Smith on Tuesday, alleging Smith a history of ‘monstering young women’.
Hadley began by acknowledging he has feuded with Smith in the past and claimed ‘I don’t wish him any ill’.
He then launched a rant about Smith’s character, calling him ‘a drunken fool’ and hoping the disgraced broadcaster gets fired.
Chris Smith has apologised for his drunken behaviour towards female colleagues at the Sky News Christmas party and revealed he has checked himself into a mental health facility. Smith is pictured with wife Susie Burrell, who left the family home on Sunday
Although Ray Hadley is on leave from 2GB, he called into the station to eviscerate Smith on alleging Smith a history of ‘monstering young women’
The 2GB breakfast host echoed earlier calls by Sky’s Andrew Bolt and Rita Panahi that their colleague lose his job.
Bolt called for the suspended broadcaster to be sacked during a segment lasting more than three minutes on his Sky program on Monday night.
‘I don’t think [Smith] should ever return to a network,’ Hadley said on Tuesday.
‘I’d be very surprised if he ever returns to anywhere ever again and I’d say the radio and the tv industry won’t be poorer for him leaving it.
‘It’ll be much better for him leaving it. So good riddance to bad rubbish,’ Hadley said – repeating Panahi’s words.
‘I’m embarrassed to be a former colleague of [Smith’s] and I hope that I never have to work with him ever again,’ Hadley said.
‘I am beyond gutted and devastated to know I have upset my colleagues after our Christmas party,’ Smith (pictured above at a previous function) said on Monday afternoon
Sky presenter Rita Panahi (above) also laid into Smith during her show. ‘What he did on Saturday night, how he made a number of women feel, means that in my opinion he can never be on this network again,’ Panahi said
‘My sympathy lies with the young women who have been monstered by him not just this time but previously as well. He’s a disgraceful person.’
Smith was suspended over the scandal which occurred on Saturday night and the fallout continues to worsen for him.
His wife – celebrity nutritionist Susie Burrell – is understood to have moved out of the family home with their twin boys.
He has since apologized for his ‘humiliating’ behaviour 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 on Monday afternoon, Smith apologised for his behaviour and said the incidents at the party did not reflect his behaviour at work.
‘I am beyond gutted and devastated to know I have upset my colleagues after our Christmas party,’ Smith said.
‘I apologise profusely to the women I upset. That’s not the man I am at work, ever, as they will all attest. They have been so supportive to 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 sends me manic’.
Hadley blasted Smith for using the same excuses again when he called into 2GB on Tuesday.
‘Young women should be protected, they shouldn’t be going to Christmas parties and being monstered by drunken fools and that’s what occurred in this particular instance and I have no sympathy for him, I’ve heard all [his excuses] before: ‘I’m bipolar, I drink too much, I’m a monster when I drink’.
‘We’ve heard that four or five times over the years.’
Hadley also berated Smith in July when he filled in for Ben Fordham.
Hadley attacked Smith when he was the fill-in breakfast host saying he is ’embarrassed to be on the same network’ as him over ‘foolish’ comments he made about a cruise ship packed with Covid infected passengers.
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