Disgraced Sky News host Chris Smith tipped to replace John Laws at 2SM... after veteran broadcaster Steve Price said the station would be be 'crazy to touch him'

Controversial former Sky News host Chris Smith has been tipped to fill the chair recently vacated by radio titan John Laws.

Laws, 89, signed off from the Sydney-based 2SM Super Radio Network in November after a long and storied 71-year career in radio.

With the chair sitting vacant since, Smith is 'tipped' to take the reins of Laws' 9am timeslot, the Daily Telegraph reported.

While no official announcement has been made, the publication claimed Smith's appointment would be made public in the near future. 

Smith was last on the airwaves as the host of the 2GB afternoon show, before he was sacked in 2022.

The veteran broadcaster was suspended and then fired from 2GB and Sky News after making allegedly lewd comments to female colleagues at Sky News's boozy Christmas party in Sydney's CBD.  

Smith later apologised for his 'humiliating' behaviour, citing alcoholism and mental health struggles. 

He was previously sacked from Nine's A Current Affair in the late '90s and again from 2GB in 2009 for similar inappropriate conduct while intoxicated before managing to resurrect his career on both occasions.

Since losing his role with Sky News, the 62-year-old has once again worked hard to win back the respect of his friends, family and colleagues.

But this time, he has approached it differently and committed to completely overhauling his life.

Smith quit drinking alcohol entirely after the party, has been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for the past year and a half, and has spent more than 12 months working with two separate psychiatrists to help him battle his demons.

He has since returned to the airwaves with digital broadcast outlets TNTRadio and ADHTV, and is understood to have impressed his new co-workers with his renewed dedication and focus.

The tip comes after veteran broadcaster Steve Price, who was also tipped to take on Laws' role, told the Sunday Telegraph 2SM would be 'crazy' to hire Smith. 

'They'd be crazy to touch Chris Smith. He's been given too many chances already. A family-run radio network would be crazy to touch Chris Smith,' Price said last month.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Smith hit back at Price's comments, calling the Project star 'bland'.

'He's the world's most boring and bland man on-air and has never had success in prime shifts in Sydney,' Smith told Daily Mail Australia.

'It riles him I have had great success and support.

'He hates that I would [have a] comeback somewhere.

'But redemption does exist and is real. Watch this space.'

While smith wouldn't be drawn on the 2SM appointment, he admitted he was in a good place.

'I don't know what 2025 holds for me but I have several options, which is pleasing, including at ADHTV, which I love and is growing incredibly,' Smith told Daily Mail Australia.

'As for [second] chances, I have turned my life around in two years.

'Zero alcohol for the first time and lots of mentors and psych assistance for the first time.

'I have never had better clarity.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to 2SM for comment. 

In an emotional farewell in November, Laws said that while he was 'sad' at the prospect of leaving, he had no complaints about his departure from air. 

'I will really miss you,' John sweetly told his loyal listeners.

'And I will miss all of the memories that have gone before me in all of these years, it has been a long time.

'I have no reason to complain. It is obviously sad to say goodbye, and I am obviously sad to have to say goodbye,' he added.

Speaking to Confidential after his final show, John admitted it felt bittersweet to bid farewell to his lengthy career. 

'I feel a bit sad but I feel okay,' he said.

It will probably catch up with me in the next day or two but I've got no right to complain at all.

'I've had a terrific life and I've had a terrific career and I've got a terrific family, so, I am okay but it is the end.'

John also joked that he will miss all the attention from chatting to his guests on air as he described himself as a 'spoiled child'.

'I will miss the attention because I am very much a spoilt child and I like a bit of attention so maybe we could organise to, once a month, maybe send a bunch of people in just to talk to me, can we do that,' he quipped.