Tomorrow, a new era in Sydney radio begins: 'I've got to forge my own path'

Tomorrow, a new era in Sydney radio begins, when Mark Levy takes over from Ray Hadley as host of 2GB's mornings.

Levy, 40, is ready for the challenge and honoured to be taking over from Hadley, who topped the ratings for the majority of his time at the helm.

"He's been a mentor and a mate for a long time," Levy told 9honey this week.

When told he'd been chosen for the coveted position, he felt "enormously grateful for the opportunity I've been given".

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"I've just had four weeks off because I do footy most of the year and sport and everything else," he said.

Levy is a South Sydney Rabbitohs supporter, a team he calls "the pride of the league."

Hailing from the Sutherland Shire in Sydney's south, Levy brings will him a wealth of experience and huge fan base.

"So we get into it on Monday from 9 o'clock," he said.

One of the most important parts of his preparation has been choosing the opening music for his show.

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Hadley, a country music fan, famously chose Murrumbidgee by The Wolverines.

Ben Fordham, host of Ben Fordham Live from 6am each weekday, plays Coldplay's Viva La Vida.

All Levy would tell 9honey is that the artist he has chosen is "not Australian" and to "think of a big singer who left a band."

"Well, it's funny, I've been listening to a lot of music to work out what I want to use," he said.

"I won't give too much away, you'll have to listen at 9am on Monday. It's a bit modern."

Levy's radio career mirrors that of Hadley's, starting in radio as a race caller.

"It's very similar to Ray, that synergy's not lost on me," he said.

"That led to an on-course operations manager role, and then I actually went up to the broadcast box to fix Ian Craig's computer."

From there, he began working on Sky Channel for a few years and then he joined 2GB.

"The big challenge for me is it's going to be my show and I've got to forge my own path," he said.

"So there'll be people that agree with me on things and disagree with other things, but I'll be really respectful of everyone because I think everyone's entitled to have their [say]."

He said "cost of living" is one of the biggest issues his audience is concerned about, and with 2025 being a Federal election year in Australia, it's going to be a busy year.

Earlier this year, Levy also opened his own restaurant with a mate, called Pronto Sylvania.

"We've been in the works for about three or four months. We did the fit-out ourselves, hired the staff ourselves and had the grand opening [on Thursday night] and we opened to the public [Friday morning]," he told 9honey Kitchen earlier this year.

"I just want to create a little community hub, it's like a safe place for people to come along and have a coffee, have a chat and also get an affordable meal.

"In the midst of a cost of living crisis, people are doing it tough, so we want to make sure they come in and get value for money."

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Of his new show, Levy said he's looking forward to standing up for everyday Aussies.

"I love standing up for the everyday Australian, because I didn't come from much, you know, I just came from an everyday Australian family," he said.

"Dad was born in Scotland, Mum came from Malta, which is very surprising when you look at my skin [Levy points to his pale and freckled skin]. My sister's got a nice tan and I get burnt in the cool room!

"It's just standing up for the battlers, everyday Australians and hitting those everyday issues that they face on a regular basis."

He said he's already being contacted by people with ideas about topics to cover.

"I'm already getting inundated with phone calls from people and stories and politicians and all that sort of thing. So it's just working out who you listen to and forming your own opinion on things," he said.

When it comes to sharing his private life, Levy said he's a "pretty open book."

"I think it's very important for the listeners to know as much about you as possible, because at the end of the day, they're welcoming you into their car, into their lounge rooms, into their lives, so I think you need to give them a bit of your life as well."

Levy will also continue his duties as part of the Continuous Call Team, calling the footy on Friday nights.

"So it's a big year."

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