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2GB host and NRL caller Mark Levy will replace Ray Hadley in the morning slot.Credit:2GB

A dominant voice in Sydney radio for four decades,Hadley announced his retirement in November,saying it was time for “someone else” to do the job.

Levy is in some ways the ideal successor to Hadley and for his audience,the pair working together on 2GB’s NRL coverage inThe Continous Call Team.Levy has been with 2GB since 2007.

He also hosts theWide World of Sportsshow at 6pm from Sunday to Friday.

Levy said he was honoured to be taking over from his mentor and friend after growing up listening to Sydney’s “talkback kings”.

“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,” Levy said.

Hadley leaves Nine – the owner of this masthead – with two years left on his multimillion-dollar contract. He is currently one of the network’s top-paid stars.

A week after announcing his resignation,Hadley lost his first radio survey in 20 years,knocked off the top spot for the first time in 160 audience measures.

His final ratings survey will be published on Thursday. Levy begins as host next week and will broadcast throughout the summer.

Ray Hadley has been one of Sydney’s leading on-air voices for 40 years.Credit:Kate Geraghty

Levy has been a regular fill-in for Hadley andBreakfasthost Ben Fordham. He will continue calling the NRL on Fridays and Saturdays,Nine said.

The station’s content manager,Luke Davis,said that Levy has proven himself as one of Australia’s most gifted,hard-working and versatile broadcasters and a favourite of 2GB audiences.

“As we usher in a new era of 2GB mornings,Mark will make the 9am–12pm timeslot his own,with a fresh take on what matters most to Sydneysiders,” Davis said.

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