Ben Fordham
| Ben Fordham | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Ben Fordham 29 November 1976 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation | Journalist & Radio Presenter |
| Notable credit(s) |
Today 2GB |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Spouse(s) | Jodie Speers |
| Children | Freddy & Pearl |
Ben Fordham (born 29 November 1976) is an Australian journalist, sports reporter and radio presenter.
Fordham is currently drive presenter on 2GB.
Career
Fordham began his career on Sydney's 2UE radio station, for which he won a Walkley Award[1] for his coverage of the 1997 Thredbo landslide. In 1998, Fordham moved to television and joined Sky News Australia as a reporter and presenter.
After less than a year at Sky News Australia, Ben joined the Nine Network, working on tabloid current affair programs such as 60 Minutes, A Current Affair, Nine News and Today.
Fordham filled in for Stuart Bocking on 2UE Nights in the 2008/09 summer period, he also filled in for Ray Hadley on 2GB in the 2009/10 summer period.
In 2010, Ben joined Nine News and Today as a reporter, he also covered the 2010 Australian Federal Election.
In January 2011, Fordham joined Today as sport presenter replacing Cameron Williams. Ben also joined 2GB in January 2011 replacing Jason Morrison to present 'Sydney Live'.
In March 2014, Ben announced that he would be leaving Today at the end of the year to concentrate on his radio show.[2] Weekend Today sport presenter Tim Gilbert has been announced as his replacement.
Personal life
Fordham was educated at Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview, a Catholic college in Lane Cove.
Ben is managed by The Fordham Company which is run by his father John.[3]
In October 2011, Fordham married Seven News presenter Jodie Speers. In August 2014, Ben announced on Today that his wife Jodie is pregnant with their first child. On 5 December 2014, Jodie gave birth to son Freddy.[4]
In April 2016, Fordham announced on 2GB that Jodie is pregnant with their second child.[5] Jodie gave birth to daughter Pearl in October 2016.[6]
Court
On 26 February 2009 Fordham was charged with concealing a serious crime and breaching the Listening Devices Act.[7] The Nine Network and A Current Affair's producer Andrew Byrne were also charged.
On 20 July 2010 NSW Supreme Court judge Elizabeth Fullerton called Fordham's attitude "disrespectful" when he failed to appear in court to hear her judgment on the charges of breaching the Listening Devices Act. Justice Fullerton found him guilty of one of four charges against him, that he knowingly recorded a conversation on 28 May 2008. Byrne was convicted of four charges of breaching the act.
The conversation was aired on ACA in May 2008, claiming to show former Waverley mayor James Markham ordering a fatal hit on a male escort.[8] Although found guilty, Fordham and Byrne each escaped conviction, with Justice Fullerton saying it was "an appalling lack of judgment by two senior journalists who are otherwise held in esteem by their colleagues".[9]
References
- ↑ "Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (Australia) - records of the W.G. Walkley Awards, 1956 - 1999". State Library of New South Wales. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
- ↑ "Sports presenter Ben Fordham quits Channel Nine's The Today Show to concentrate on 2GB drive show". news.com.au. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
- ↑ "Media Watch - Fordham follies". ABC. 21 June 2004. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
- ↑ http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/ben-fordham-and-wife-jodie-speers-welcome-their-first-child-freddy/story-fnk826rj-1227146747872
- ↑ "Ben Fordham's wife Jodie Speers shows off her growing baby bump". Mail Online. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
- ↑ "Baby girl for Ben Fordham and Jodie Speers". Daily Telegraph. 2016-10-02. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
- ↑ "Channel Nine charged over report". news.com.au. 26 February 2009. Archived from the original on 28 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
- ↑ Kontominas, Bellinda (20 July 2010). "ACA reporter found guilty of breaching listening devices law". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
- ↑ Wells, Jamelle. "Hit man sting journalists avoid conviction". www.abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
External links
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Cameron Williams |
Today Sport Presenter January 2011 – November 2014 |
Succeeded by Tim Gilbert |