Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Ben Fordham’s competition for the coveted breakfast slot, has officially withdrawn his self-nomination.

Mr Rudd emailed Ben telling him to “rest easy”.

“I’ve decided against throwing my hat into the ring for the slot,” he said.

“The interview panel may not have been fair and impartial … And as for you, Ben – do your worst, as you’ve always done.” (see full statement below)

The former Labor leader tweeted yesterday, “I hear there’s an opening at 2GB.”

“Just letting Peter Costello and the team know that I’m available.”

It might be advantageous to have a bilingual host, Ben pointed out, as Mr Rudd could double bill for ads in Mandarin Chinese and English.

Mr Rudd’s previous profanity-laden outbursts from behind the mic would certainly make him “quite entertaining”, Ben said.

“Really, when I think about it, would he be fit for radio? Because on that occasion, he was being pre-recorded, and what we do here is live and unfiltered!”

I hear there’s an opening at the @2GB873 morning radio slot. Just letting Peter Costello and the team know that I’m available. Ready to rock and roll… 🙂 pic.twitter.com/qrlZrnKDsz

— Office of Kevin Rudd, 26th PM of Australia (@MrKRudd) May 13, 2020

Listeners aren’t quite as fond of the idea though, it seems.

“Kevin Rudd, when he was on 60 Minutes, his own dog didn’t even like him – it ran the other way!” said caller Mark.

“I think your job’s safe for now.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full story

Full statement from Kevin Rudd

Gidday Ben,

Trust you enjoyed the joke. Rest easy. I’ve decided against throwing my hat into the ring for the slot. The interview panel may not have been fair and impartial.

On this hairdryer story of yours though, I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but it never happened. Invented 100% by the Liberals. And take a look at my hair. Does it look like I’d use a hairdryer? I’d appreciate you correcting the record on your show this afternoon.

And I’ve no idea what this story about my dog is all about. That’s a new one for me. Abby the Wonderdog just had her 15th birthday and sends her best wishes for the new slot. I’m taking her for a walk in a minute.

My best regards to your listeners.

And as for you, Ben – do your worst, as you’ve always done. 🙂

Kevin

Image: Twitter/Kevin Rudd