Sydney radio station 2SM has poached radio and TV veteran Ron Wilson from rival network Smooth FM in the wake of the retirement of veteran broadcaster John Laws.
Wilson currently co-presents Smooth FM’s breakfast show with Bogart Torelli.
According to the Daily TelegraphThe 70-year-old jumped ship to join 2SM, where he will host a live breakfast show from January 13.
2SM co-owner Despina Priala told the publication that Wilson was attracted to the “family-friendly” nature of the Sydney-based station.
“He’s definitely the ideal breakfast person in Sydney,” she said.
“The point of difference was that he wanted to work for a family-owned and operated network… and in some ways maybe it would be an easier journey, a smoother journey.”
Sydney radio station 2SM has poached TV and radio veteran Ron Wilson from rival network Smooth FM in the wake of the retirement of veteran broadcaster John Laws.
Wilson also has a long and storied career as a television newsreader, perhaps best known for his 33 years at Channel 10.
And 2SM station manager George Caralis said Wilson’s “brand” would be a welcome addition.
‘We think it will be very well received. ‘Ron is an incredible brand,’ he said.
‘He wants to bring his conversation based on Sydney’s problems to 2SM. He previously presented interviews on 2GB and interviews on Good Morning Australia. “He is a complete professional.”
2SM has also poached Smooth FM news presenter Mary-Ann Harris, who will partner with Wilson to read the news on the new live breakfast show.
The show will replace Richard King’s show in Newcastle.
It will be the first live breakfast show for 2SM since 2022 after breakfast host Marcus Paul was sensationally sacked.
After a two-year tenure, Paul was fired after coming under fire for an inappropriate on-air segment involving schoolgirl Charlise Mutten, whose body was found stuffed in a barrel near a river.
Wilson currently co-hosts Smooth FM’s breakfast show with Bogart Torelli (pictured) and, starting in January, will host a live breakfast show won by 2SM.
2SM has also poached Smooth FM news presenter Mary-Ann Harris, who will partner with Wilson to read the news on the new live breakfast show.
News of Wilson’s move comes after the departure of veteran broadcaster John Laws from 2SM in November.
Laws, 89, ended his 71-year radio career in November.
In an emotional farewell, the man nicknamed ‘the golden tonsils’ said that although he was ‘sad’ at the prospect of leaving, he had no complaints about his departure from the air.
“I’m really going to miss you,” John said sweetly to his loyal listeners.
‘And I will miss all the memories that have come before me in all these years, it’s been a long time.
‘I have no reason to complain. “It’s obviously sad to say goodbye, and obviously I’m sad to have to say goodbye,” he added.
talking to Confidential After his last show, John admitted that it was bittersweet to say goodbye to his long career.
“I feel a little sad, but I feel good,” he said.
News of Wilson’s move comes after the departure of veteran broadcaster John Laws from 2SM in November.
John also joked that he will miss all the attention chatting with his guests on air, as he described himself as a “spoiled child.”
‘I’ll miss the attention because I’m a very spoiled child and I like a bit of attention, so maybe we could organize to, once a month, maybe send a group of people just to talk to me, can we do that?’ ‘, he joked.
John began his radio career in 1953 on 3BO in Bendigo and his unique style earned the broadcaster the nickname “The Golden Tonsils”.
After four years at 3BO, he moved to metro station, 2UE, where he became one of the first DJs to play rock ‘n’ roll music.
He stepped away from radio for four years in 2007 and returned to the airwaves at 2SM in 2011.
2SM has not yet announced a replacement for Laws.