November 6th 2024.
After an astonishing 43 years on air, the legendary broadcaster Ray Hadley has made the bittersweet announcement that he will be hanging up his microphone and stepping back from his highly successful radio program. In a heartfelt message to his dedicated listeners this morning, Hadley expressed his gratitude for the incredible journey he has been on. He revealed that December 13 will mark his final morning on air, as he passes the baton to someone else to take on the role.
Hadley made the brave decision to break the news to his team this morning, after a discussion with head of radio Tom Malone during his trip to the Olympics in Paris. Malone had suggested that Hadley take some time to consider his future upon his return to Australia. And after much contemplation, the radio veteran realized that it was time to prioritize other parts of his life, including his family.
He reflected on the significant changes in his personal life over the years, from becoming a grandfather to marrying his incredible wife Sophie, who has been his colleague and biggest supporter for the past 18 years. Hadley acknowledged that she deserves a break from the early morning starts and the demanding schedule of a full-time radio host.
Speaking of the early starts, Hadley admitted that he has reached a point where he can no longer endure the relentless routine of getting up at 3:30 am every day. As he celebrated his 70th birthday in September, he couldn't help but question how much time he has left on this earth and if he wants to continue sacrificing his sleep and social life for the radio. He shared that he's always the first one to leave social events, and he no longer wants to miss out on those precious moments with his loved ones.
But fear not, Hadley assured his loyal listeners that he will not be disappearing completely. While he may be retiring from full-time radio, he has no plans to retire from work altogether. He hinted that he may resurface in some capacity in 2025, but definitely not on radio. And with a twinge of nostalgia, he thanked his producers and his devoted audience for their unwavering support throughout the years.
Hadley's contribution to the Australian radio landscape cannot be overstated. He has been a staple at 2GB for 24 years and spent 19 years before that at 2UE. During his remarkable career, he has earned 33 Australian Commercial Radio Awards and was inducted into the ACRA Hall of Fame in 2017. Malone acknowledged that Hadley's incredible longevity and top-rated program are unparalleled and may never be matched.
While his iconic jingle and familiar voice will be missed by 2GB listeners, Malone expressed his well wishes for Hadley's retirement and his much-deserved time with Sophie and their family. As Hadley himself humbly put it, he may owe 2GB and his listeners a lot, but they owe him much more for his years of dedicated service and unwavering commitment.
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