Last day in the 2GB Drive seat for Jim

As Jim Wilson prepares to host his final 2GB Drive shift today, speculation is already rife as to who’ll replace him.

Wilson – who’ll continue working in TV – told listeners he’s looking ahead to the next broadcast chapter of his life, after his announcement that today’s 2GB shift will be his last.

“I love what I do and I’ve still got the passion to do more in the future.”

“What matters to me is integrity and being true to myself and to you.”

Wilson – who made it clear he’s not into long-winded ‘farewell tours’ – thanked listeners for their loyalty:

“You have been so supportive since I took on this role. I’m so bloody lucky to have been given this opportunity. You’ve been so compassionate and thoughtful, especially on tough days for me, on a personal level. I was seriously overwhelmed as was my beautiful wife Chris (Bath) and the family following your kind messages this week, following the passing of Chris’s legendary dad Donald. You seriously don’t know how much that means to us.”

According to the Daily Telegraph (owned by Nine’s rival News Ltd), TV political reporter Chris O’Keefe is widely regarded the most likely contender to take Wilson’s place, with veteran journalist Chris Smith and sports broadcaster Mark Levy also considered to be in the running.

Levy is a regular fill-in for Breakfast host Ben Fordham.

Another name being flagged is Michael McLaren, host of 2GB’s Overnight show.

As for any suggestion of an Alan Jones 2GB comeback, Nine Head of Content Greg Byrnes has previously ruled it out.

In July last year, Byrnes told our sister publication RadioInfo “When Alan retired in the middle of last year, we wished him all the best. Wonderful broadcaster.”

“We’ll leave it there.”

Last year I spoke to Jim on the Food Bytes podcast just nine weeks into his 2GB Drive role, where he talked about the transition from his decades-long television career to full-time radio.

“I’ve been a long time contributor to radio but this is my first time as a host. It’s a different beast. I’m not a radio guru. Far from it. I’ve got a lot to learn.”

“This gig came up and I thought – ‘You know what? I’m 52. I’ve still got a long way to go in my career. And I thought ‘Why not? Let’s give it a crack.’”

In the midst of living through a pandemic, Jim also talked about the importance of putting smiles on people’s faces.

“Yes, we’ve got to report the news of the day and break the news, but also have the old light and shade.”

“People at the end of the day need a laugh.”