Ray Hadley announces his Radio 2GB successor live on air

Outgoing talkback radio king Ray Hadley will be replaced by popular sports presenter Mark Levy when the top-rating 2GB star signs off for the final time at the end of the week.

Hadley, who is retiring from radio after 43 years behind the microphone, officially announced the news to his listeners live on-air on Tuesday, shortly after 9am.

It ends more than a month of speculation about the veteran morning show host's long-term successor at Nine Radio's flagship Sydney 2GB station after Hadley announced his shock resignation at the start of November.

The one-time taxi driver told listeners on November 6 that he was stepping down so he could spend more time with his wife Sophie, children and grandchildren, but agreed to stay on until the end of the radio ratings season on Friday.

Levy immediately became a favourite to move into Hadley's chair after successful stints filling-in for both Hadley and breakfast show colleague Ben Fordham.

Although Nine Radio's headline hosts traditionally take an extended break over the summer non-ratings period, Levy will take up the position from Monday and work through the break to ensure his show is bedded in by the time ratings surveys resume next year.

The incoming host said he was looking forward to taking the reigns and replacing his longtime 2GB mentor.

'As a young kid I grew up listening to the talkback kings and to be taking over a timeslot that's been owned by a mentor and a friend for the last 20 years is something I am excited about and extremely honoured to do,' Levy said.

Popular Nine Radio sports presenter Mark Levy will replace his long-term mentor Ray Hadley as host of the network's flagship Sydney 2GB's top-rating morning show from next week

Ray Hadley is winding up at Nine's flagship Sydney talkback station 2GB on December 13 after hosting his top-rating morning show for more than two decades

The veteran broadcaster wants to spend more time with wife, Sophie

'I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead and I can't wait to speak to our loyal listeners every morning about the issues affecting them in what's shaping up as an important election year.'

In announcing the decision, Nine Radio credited the connection Levy had built with 2GB's rusted-on audience throughout his 18-year career with the broadcaster.

Levy cut his teeth in sports broadcasting and, as the driving force behind Nine Radio's Wide World of Sports and a key member of The Continuous Call Team, his voice has become synonymous with the nation's biggest sporting events.

He won wide-spread accolades - and claimed his sixth Australian Commercial Radio Awards - for his live coverage of the devastating Bondi Junction stabbing rampage earlier this year.

2GB Content Manager Luke Davis credited Levy's hard work and commitment since joining the station.

'Over almost two decades, Mark Levy has proven himself to be one of Australia's most gifted, hard-working and versatile broadcasters – and a favourite of 2GB listeners, Davis said.

'As we usher in a new era of 2GB Mornings, Mark will make the 9.00am-12.00pm timeslot his own, with a fresh take on what matters most to Sydneysiders.'

The handover comes at a critical time for Nine Radio as it looks to refocus the business in the face of an everchanging industry disrupted by online podcasts and music streaming.

Mark Levy will work through the festive season to bed in his show before radio ratings return next year

Levy has had successful stints filling in for Hadley and 2GB breakfast show star Ben Fordham

Levy has been the favourite pick to take over 2GB's morning show with Daily Mail Australia readers since Hadley announced his retirement.

Still, he will have a mammoth task ahead of him in replacing his long-reigning mentor, who leaves behind an extraordinary legacy behind the mic.

Hadley has ruled the airwaves in the fiercely competitive timeslot for the Sydney-based station since his debut in April 2002 after more than two decades at rival outlet 2UE, where he had started his radio career as a casual traffic reporter.

The tireless broadcaster, who celebrated his 70th birthday at the end of September, is also known to sports fans across the country for his unbeaten reign calling rugby league State of Origin matches and the NRL Grand Final.

Hadley's record-breaking career has seen him recognised with 35 Australian Commercial Radio Awards for his work in news, current affairs and sport - more than any other broadcaster - and he was inducted into the ACRA Hall of Fame in 2017.

Additionally, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2002 for his services to rugby league and in recognition of his charity work along with an addition to the Sydney Cricket Ground's Media Hall of Honour in 2021.

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