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Radio host Chris O’Keefe has quit live on air admitting that his decision to walk away from media in just a few hours was a “difficult decision” but the right one.
The 2GB star, who has worked for Nine for 13 years and as a radio host for the past two years, announced the shock news on Friday afternoon and said today’s Drive show would be his last.
“Today is my last show, and my last day in journalism,” O’Keefe said.
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“It’s been a difficult decision, and one I have been wrestling with for 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 call to move on.
“I’m a young father, and I am looking at what the next 10 years looks like for me and my family. And as we all do from time to time, I have had to answer this question.”
Chris O’Keefe with his son Henry. He quit his radio show on Friday. Credit: InstagramO’Keefe, 43, said he was leaving behind his TV and radio career to start his own consulting business.
“I am going to open my own political and media advocacy business, to help clients navigate their projects or issues through the maelstrom of government and public opinion,” he said.
“I am excited about it, and I know I can make it a success.”
O’Keefe’s shock decision came just hours after 2GB farewelled another radio star from the station — talkback king Ray Hadley.
Hadley recorded his final show on Friday morning after a 40-year career.
The text line for O’Keefe’s show was bombarded with well wishes before the departing radio host joked he “hated fuss”.
2GB colleague Ben Fordham called in to the show to jokingly claim he was making a terrible decision.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? I thought we had a deal, I encouraged you to come to 2GB ... and now you bail on us,” Fordham said.
“I was blindsided by your news ... it has blindsided us and we can’t shy away from that. (But) it takes courage to do something like that ... I’m going to miss listening to you between 3pm and 6pm.”
Mark Levy also paid tribute to O’Keefe..
“I’m here to make a fuss,” he joked.
“Can I say this genuinely, when you first got this gig, I said you were going to kill it ... I’m going to miss you because you’ve been a mate for a long, long time.”
O’Keefe said it had been a “long, hard decision”.
“And it’s one I haven’t made lightly,” he added. “But I had to make one for the family, I’m comfortable with it.”
O’Keefe handed in his resignation to his boss last week despite having more than a year left on his lucrative radio contract.
He said he was looking forward to spending more time with his son Henry and his wife, Fox League presenter Yvonne Sampson.
“Personally, I just want to thank my mum and dad Shellie and Greg who instilled a work ethic and decency into my sister Lauren and I, which has allowed us to do what we do,” he said.
“I often think I wish I could be the parent that Mum and Dad were to me - but I realise that is a very high bar, because they are just so good.
“And, look, I would be nothing without my wife, Vonny. She is the most extraordinary human being.
“She is easily the most talented and respected sports broadcaster in Australia, but people don’t know the half of it.”
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