Nine star Chris O'Keefe quits live on-air - effective IMMEDIATELY - and reveals why in sensational admission: 'Today's my last day'
- Chris O'Keefe announces shock decision to quit network
- Tells listeners he wants to spend more time with his family
One of Nine's most popular stars has sent shockwaves through the industry after announcing he is quitting the network - and journalism - live on air, effective immediately.
Former television reporter turned talkback radio host Chris O'Keefe, 43, made the surprise announcement on his 2GB drive-time program about 3.30pm on Friday.
The multi-award-winning journalist said he had been wrestling with the decision for months before finally deciding it was time 'to move on' and resigned last week.
'I’ve got a bit of news to share this afternoon,' O'Keefe said.
'Today is my last show here at 2GB. This is entirely my decision, I have decided to finish up not only in radio but in the media.
'Today is my last show, and my last day in journalism.
'It’s been a difficult decision, and one I have been wrestling with for many, 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.'
Chris O'Keefe says he wants to spend more time with his 'extraordinary' wife Yvonne Sampson (pictured together) and their young son, Henry, after his shock resignation from Nine Radio
Chris O'Keefe, 43, (pictured) has been with 2GB for two years after being lured away from Nine's Sydney news team after a decade in television for the network
O'Keefe's announcement comes on the final day of the radio industry's ratings season for the year - and just hours after fellow 2GB star Ray Hadley signed off from his show for the final time after two decades on Friday morning.
It is understood O'Keefe, who is highly regarded by both his colleagues and network management, still had more than a year to run on his lucrative $400,000-a-year contract with Nine Radio and made the decision to quit entirely on his own terms.
He tendered his resignation to Nine Radio boss Tom Malone a week ago but decided to keep the news under wraps until his final show as he did not want to distract from Hadley's farewell tour.
The father-of-one said he was looking forward to spending more time with wife Fox League presenter Yvonne Sampson and two-year-old son Henry, and wanted to offer his own family the same care and attention he received growing up.
'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 told his listeners.
'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.
Chris O'Keefe says his wife Yvonne (pictured together) taught him the meaning of resilience
The loved-up couple welcomed their baby boy Henry almost two years ago (pictured)
'Vonny has taught me a resilience that I didn’t know I had in me. Her resilience and kindness is other worldly. My God I am lucky.
'It’s funny we got together when I was a cub reporter, and Vonny hadn’t started doing the rugby league broadcasts.
'And every step of our lives together she has celebrated and supported our successes. It’s been 12 years and it feels like it’s been five minutes.
'That’s gotta be the mark of a great relationship, right? I love her so dearly I know how lucky Henry and I are.'
O'Keefe, who cut his teeth as a television producer with Channel Ten before being poached by Nine's Gold Coast bureau, said he would still have some involvement with the media moving forward after deciding to set up his own political and media advocacy firm.
His departure will cause headaches for Nine Radio's executive team, who will now have to spend the summer searching for a drive-time replacement.
It comes after they only just this week announced Wide World of Sports presenter Mark Levy would succeed Hadley in the critical morning timeslot.
Nine sources said losing O'Keefe, who has been with 2GB for two years after a decade with Nine's TV news teams in Brisbane and Sydney, would have a massive impact on the entire network.
'It's an incredible loss for Nine,' one senior insider told Daily Mail Australia.
'It's not just his radio show, he still breaks stories for the 6pm news bulletin on television and has been a huge success across every platform.
'He's also a man of integrity, an excellent team player and is a wonderful mentor to all the young journalists coming through the newsroom - so I'm happy for Chris and Vonny, but it's a huge, huge loss.'
Reflecting on his two-decade career, O'Keefe credited much of his success to his own 'incredible mentors'.
O'Keefe has praised breakfast radio colleague Ben Fordham (right) and Nine Radio head of content Greg Brynes (pictured)
'I was lucky enough for someone at Channel Ten to give me a crack on their overnight news desk [and] since then it has been a wild ride,' he said.
'It’s been an absolute privilege. A privilege I have never ever taken for granted.
'I’ve grown up at Nine. And there are too many people to thank. But I’ll make special mention of a few, because they deserve that.
'Tom Malone, [Nine Radio head of content] Greg Byrnes, [and content manager] Luke Davis here at 2GB. The faith they have put in me is exceptional.
'Especially Tom, his decency and generosity does not go unnoticed from the staff here at the radio station.
'I want to thank too Ben Fordham for his generosity of opinion and advice. He is number one for a reason. Because he is a number one human being.
'John Stanley too, I'm sure our Dragons dribble will continue in earnest, Deb Knight who I have known since my first day as a full time journalist.
'She is class personified, and Michael McClaren who I have so thoroughly enjoyed getting to know and working with over the last 12 months. What an intellect he has.
'I’ve been lucky to have some incredible mentors over the years.'
Deborah Knight (pictured) received a shout-out from O'Keefe for being a great mentor
Nine Radio boss Tom Malone and 2GB content manager Luke Davis
In a final monologue on his resignation, O'Keefe spoke at length about how grateful he was to have grown up in 'the lucky country'.
'We should all kiss the dirt every day that we live in this great country of ours,' he said.
'There are billions of human beings, just through the roulette game of life, who haven’t been lucky enough to live in Australia.
'We can get medical care for free whenever we need it, a job for whoever wants one, 13 years of free schooling, and the government will front the fee if you want to go to uni.
'If you are disabled, you are looked after, if you are mentally ill, you will be looked after. If you are elderly you’ll get the pension and your nursing home paid for. If you are a child, you’ll get your childcare covered.
'We have rainforests, snow, beaches and outback. Beautiful cities, and extraordinary opportunities.
'All of it has been and continues to be protected by generations of servicemen and women, that has allowed us to live this life.
'Australia is not perfect, but there are some people around the world who would think it goes pretty bloody close. I'm certainly one of them, and I reckon we could be a little more thankful for that at times.'
