Chris Smith to return to 2GB on Monday after Christmas party suspension
2GB afternoon host Chris Smith’s office Christmas party hangover will finally come to an end on Monday, the company said today.
Smith was suspended from the Macquarie Radio Network’s Sydney flagship station after lurid allegations emerged involving him groping female members of staff. He then gave an interview to the Sunday telegraph in which he described himself as an alcoholic.
In a statement today, MRN chairman, Russell Tate said: “Chris Smith will return as the host of the 2GB Afternoon Show from next Monday. I have had several discussions and meetings with Chris during the course of his suspension, which resulted from unacceptable behaviour at the 2009 Christmas party. Chris has demonstrated unqualified remorse and fully understands the seriousness of his actions. He has made a full apology to those involved and they have accepted his apology.
“Chris has committed to an ongoing program of counselling and professional help. In light of this commitment and his acknowledgement that any recurrence of this behaviour will not be tolerated, we have agreed that he will return to his on air role at 2GB.”
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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How long before he starts taking the high ground on “moral” issues like Bill Henson again?
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If I sexually harassed girls at my place of work, I certainly would be ‘let go’. If I had Smith’s history of sexual harassment, they probably would not have ever hired me, and definitely not on a $450,000 contract. Is he really remorseful for his actions or what he stands to lose?
Presumably he is only back because they could not cancel the contract on legal grounds as no official complaint was made. This is either an ethically bad decision or a sad legal outcome.
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Does anybody under 45 listen to 2GB?
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Chris Smith is a danger to us all
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Chris Smith is an outstanding presenter and he’s only human. If he’s truly remorseful of his actions and the women accepted his apology then for God’s sake leave the guy alone! He’s had time to reflect on his bad behaviour and how many other people act stupid at a Christmas party!? It’s not like he went out and murdered anyone!
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And by the way… yes, there ARE people under 45 that listen to 2GB… I happen to be one of them!!
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Do you work for them too, Kristie? Or are you and Chris just related?
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it was strange to hear that Chris behaved in an appalling way given to what he was saying about John Dellabosca’s affair,
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Blokey Station, Blokey attitude. The Channel 9 of Radio.
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2GB boardroom meeting on the fate of Chis’girls name’ Smith.
Singo; ‘What do we do with this lowlife?
The Parrot;’ No worry’s, I got arrested once outside a men’s toilet and got away with it. Leave it up to me boy, Preach and moralize about hypocrisy…um that should do it’.
Montion passed.
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I am appalled that your radio station would allow this person to again be heard on radio. 2GB seems to have no respect for women , this person has treated women badly before , at Channel 9, so this is not one off. The women he ” groped ” are probably worried about their position at this radio station ,so have said nothing. I am moving up the dial to the next station, where at least they treat women with respect.
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Adrian, Kristie still lives at home and her Dad, Athol, has araldited the tuner knob of the wireless set to 873 (except they still have all the Australian station call signs printed on the dial).
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Correction Ken, Alan Jones was arrested loitering inside the toilet flashing his dick. Great stuff isn”t ,it if anyone else did what Smith and Jones did they would be out of work and completely denounced by the shock jock fraternity. Smith is a serial offender, and has the hide to write a book on stalking!Sounds like he sure is well qualified on the subject. Another bullshitter blaming a bi-polar alcoholic condition. What a coward Smith is .He should hang his head in shame. Why don’t we try and call Jones and Smith on Monday to discuss these incidents, like you’ll get through ha ha ha.
Maybe Belinda Neal should call him. Smith gave her heaps for weeks. The funny thing is ,what the hell can he discuss with any credibility on air,? Guess he’ll stick up for drunken football players and pollies from now on, and take on an on- air counselling style. Hang your head in shame Smith, your a liar and a gutless disgrace to the Radio industry.Bi-polar, sure. Alcoholic, just an out of control binger who can’t keep his hands off woman.
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Geeeeeeeee Guys !! Are you all perfect ?? There have been/are some very famous
people in various walks of life including Kings, Presidents, Politicians and to my mind, the worst of all, ordinary PRIESTS ( as they are placed in a position of Trust)……who have committed sexual misdemeanours & more serious offences & whom, it would appear, have, in some instances “gotten away with murder” (as the saying goes) We all have skeletons in our cupboards & I am convinced that we all possess a “dark” side !! Chris would be only too painfully aware that this is his very last chance on air !! He has sought help, it seems, and is sorry for his actions. I wish him Good Fortune & sincerely hope that his Afternoon Show will be # 1 top rating again !! If I sound a bit too lenient, then that is because I have walked in Chris’s shoes…was helped & have got my Life back again…more beautiful than ever !! Best of Luck Chris !!
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I wouldn’t listen to that radio station anyway.
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Time tp Give Chris Smith a second Chance. Surely women at 2GB can find forgivenesss in their hearts for Chris Smith. This will bring younger listeners to 2GB from Nova, 2DauFM, Mix 106.5FM & TrupleJ.
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Remind me if I’m wrong but doesn’t this presenter hammer anyone who has done anything wrong then blames illness. He usually says things along the lines of “it is not an excuse to blame illness for bad behaviour”.
So what does he do – comes out with a sob story to a newspaper of how he is a bipolar, alcoholic.
I hope people give Chris Smith the same treatment he was only too happy to dish out to others in the same situation.
Sadly I doubt it will be the case – all you will hear on 2gb is welcome back Chris, isn’t is great to hear you on the air and similar.
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Hi everyone, Chris Smith is a real person. Please don’t put him down, I know the man and you don’t so how can you say things about him if you only read what has been in the press? Lets put aside things that has happend as you can not repair them… Let Chris do what he does best on the best Station Sydney’s 2GB 873..All the best Chris… Love Rev…
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Good to hear Chris Smith NOT screening calls and taking critiicism
Certain other people who’ve recently been involved in controversy have made sure that not one negative call has got to air
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Once again its all about him ,Chris Smith”I’ve been beating myself up over this”. So you should you fool. Not a sincere word of apology to the poor women involved.What about naming and apologising to ALL of the woman you assaulted, instead of leaving us wonder if the women reading the news were Smiths victim’ s now suffering as a result of his drunken behaviour. Notice this womaniser didn’t chat to them on air beyond a token introduction. Seems he has been warned off. Hope he is restricted to working with his hands above the desk for their sake.
How about an apology to the people you have bitterly condemned over the years for far less offensive action eg our Prime Minister Rudd.You never let up on him, Belinda Neal and Tiger. You are a weak bastard with a Kmart plastic spine. Smith you are offensive and a very self centred man.Noticed you didn’t say you were giving up alcohol, rather you said you would leave it to your wife to monitor your drinking. Your can’t be serious.Shift the responsibility for your behaviour to your wife why don’t you .Oh yeah….it’s only a matter of time. Seems you constantly have your dick in your hand.
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Low life , filthy, warped scum, thats you Smith. Lets hope your daughters body parts aren’t groped. Your excuse for groping young woman, the cover of alcohol , Now all of a sudden your mildly bi-polar….sure! Your are so transparent and the most massive media hypocrite. How 2GB management expect people to work with you is beyond belief ,as you most certainly are.
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I remember last year when he wrote an opinion piece for a now defunct news website Livenews. He was so base that he had a line or few changing her surname to something defamatory for no reason other than he disagreed with her mild suggestion on public policy. Sorry, no details about it as it was so forgettable & pathetic.
Even worse were his rabid 2gb supporters with the most awful comments.
If only listeners were as ruthless as him & his colleagues on that hypocritical station.
Btw Marconi, hope you enjoy the “blokey” astrology readings…karma is a bitch.
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Good on you Chris !! … you have come through your 1st show for 2010 with “Flying Colours” … it takes a lot of guts to apologise & admit that you have behaved very badly … a lot of people, especially men, just cannot admit that they were out of order … some cannot or WILL not even say “sorry” … something to do with male ego or the old “power & control” thing. A great number of men will never seek the services of a professional person ie psychiatrist … they just “go down the pub” instead … and so the whole cycle of unacceptable behaviour begins again … I personally have witnessed this time & time again !! I would like your critics to “walk a mile in your shoes” before they judge. I know what I am talking about … I have been there & am lucky to be alive … Take care Chris .
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Nothing worse than a chubby, receding, unappealing ,middle aged married man, groping and trying to kiss young woman. The excuse of being smashed on alcohol doesn’t wash . From from what has been reported, he was an offensive human being that night and there are probably more incidents that are unreported. His wife and kids should be very worried. So Sad.And don’t knock the newspapers. talk radio uses newspaper story lines and information all day everyday. If it was a j groping jock from another station Smith would of been giving him/her absolute hell. Cause thats what he has always done. he said HE had a shocker on the news. What about the poor girls he drunkenly manhandled with a half a stiffy in his pants. And he had the shocker?Repulsive creature.
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And none of you blokes have never been off your’e face and carried on like that !
It should not have been mentioned and 2gb should bring in a responsible service of alchol policy!
Smiths biggest mistake was that he hammers other people all the time for this type of behaviour and yet he carries on like that himself!
If he didnt carry on with his high moral crap he would have been okay! Everyone would say we all make mistakes!
He has been very dishonest and a big let down to everyone, you should be vey ashamed Smith. And stop supporting the Labour party !
John singelton and Allan jones should show him the door!
Good riddons Smith you dishonest whimp!
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Tim Webster on 2ue looks like the way to go !
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I don’t have a lot of sympathy for someone who mixes alcohol and anti depressants.(at the Christmas party) He is old enough (and ugly enough) to know better. Does he know better? Or is he just his old arrogant self who knows better than anyone else? I like Andrew Moore – he did very well for a more casual approach to the after lunch show. We’ve had the big guns with Alan & Ray (who I admire greatly) so its time for Andrew and his less confrontational approach.
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Why bother defending this proven jerk. Expect more crap on air today, from him and his brainless admirers who couldn’t form an opinion of their own if they tried.Smith is a self indulgent ,” I had a shocker” ,young girl groping sicko!Pity help his daughter.
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Kristie you are part of the problem.
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Haha yes
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