Chris Smith: Meet the radio stars battling for a 2GB gig as the disgraced station is sacked

2GB has been scrambling to find a replacement for disgraced broadcaster Chris Smith in 2023 after he was fired from his weekend radio show for drunk behavior at the Christmas party.

Now, a list of front-runners in the race for the coveted entry has emerged.

According to Media Diary, popular radio host Michael McLaren is the early front-runner to take over Smith’s job next year.

2GB has been scrambling to find a replacement for disgraced broadcaster Chris Smith (pictured) in 2023 after he was fired from his weekend radio show for drunk behavior at the Christmas party

McLaren is the host of 2GB’s weekday overnight programme, which airs every weekday from midnight to 5:30am.

The respected journalist is currently filling in for Smith to host Weekend Mornings over the summer.

Also in the running for Smith’s role are overnight weekend presenter Luke Grant and former Channel 10 presenter Bill Woods.

Popular radio host Michael McLaren (pictured) is the early front-runner to take over Smith’s job next year, according to Media Diary

Also in the running for Smith’s role are overnight weekend host Luke Grant (left) and former Channel 10 presenter Bill Woods (right).

2GB backup presenter and former Studio 10 panelist Joe Hildebrand also appears to have a shot at snagging Smith’s gig.

Smith’s regrettable actions have also caused a headache at Sky News as bosses have been forced to reconsider the network’s 2023 casting lineup, Media Diary reports.

Smith was scheduled to host a 5pm nightly program on Sky News in 2023 before he was dropped.

2GB surrogate presenter and former Studio 10 panelist Joe Hildebrand (pictured) also appears to have a shot at snagging Smith’s gig

It comes after Smith was fired from a luxury Mediterranean cruise – his third firing in a week.

Smith was dropped by Travelrite International on Friday as a celebrity host on one of their cruises.

Earlier this month, Smith attended Sky’s end-of-year celebrations at the Ivy Sunroom in Sydney, before heading to the nearby establishment with colleagues.

It comes after Smith was fired from a luxury Mediterranean cruise – his third firing in a week

There he was accused of inappropriately touching a colleague and making rude remarks to several others, at least one of whom broke down in tears.

Smith has apologized for his behavior, which he attributed to long-standing issues with alcohol and bipolar disorder, and has self-evaluated at a psychiatric facility.

Smith was previously suspended from 2GB after the network’s 2009 Christmas party, where he behaved inappropriately towards several women and attempted to kiss a co-worker.

Smith has apologized for his behavior, which he blamed on longstanding issues with alcohol and bipolar disorder, and is self-assessing at a psychiatric facility

Meanwhile, Smith’s longtime partner Susie Burrell (left) is by his side. The couple is pictured earlier this year

He had also been demoted from his role as chief of staff on Nine Network’s A Current Affair after revealing himself at a farewell party in the late 1990s.

Smith’s longtime partner Susie Burrell is now at his side.

Ms Burrell was reportedly spotted leaving the marital home last Sunday after learning Smith had been accused of making lewd remarks to women the previous night.

However, a source close to the family has revealed that she has not left the father of her six-year-old twin sons and remains in regular contact with him.

“Susie didn’t leave Chris before or after,” the source said. “In fact, they’re working together to survive and rebuild through this.”