Alan Jones trial: Ray Hadley reveals secret plan to oust Alan Jones from 2GB

Retired talkback titan Ray Hadley has spilled the beans on a secret plot for him to replace Alan Jones in the top-rating breakfast slot on Sydney’s 2GB.

Hadley made the revelation while appearing as a star witness in the indecent assault trial of Jones , his former colleague.

He told the court then-2GB owner John Singleton was fed up with footing the bill for Jones’ costly defamation payouts and wanted him out.

Hadley says he signed a contract to take over the breakfast shift from July 1, 2019 in a move which would have seen his salary double to $4 million a year.

“I didn’t want to get out of bed at half past one but the money made me do it,” Hadley recounted.

However, he said the deal fell apart when Singleton sold 2GB to Nine Entertainment Co, where former chairman Peter Costello wanted Jones to stay.

Hadley also revealed he’d been falsely accused of assault at 2GB in 2019, saying another staffer had told him of an order form Jones to “dig up some dirt on Hadley.” When asked if he’d later confronted Jones and called him a “dog” and a “c**t”, Hadley replied, “Yes, it would be something I’d say.”

However, Hadley acknowledged he benefited from Jones’ giant audience, which had pulling power for 2GB, saying, “Mr Jones was part of my success for many years.”

On Tuesday, Hadley recounted a conversation he’d had with a former 2GB staffer, who alleges he was indecently assaulted by Jones and is a key complainant in the case.