newy.com.au – Mediaweek has reported that Super Radio Network has terminated the employment of Newcastle general manager Guy Ashford, days after he was filmed grabbing award-winning 2HD presenter Cheralyn Darcey at the 2026 Australian Audio Awards.
Ashford had been leading SRN’s Newcastle stations, 2HD and NEW FM, which both produce content for the super radio network around Australia all from the network’s Sandgate studios. His dismissal follows an earlier suspension after video from the awards night spread across national news websites and social media.
SRN chief executive Graham Mott confirmed the decision to Mediaweek. “Yes, he’s gone,” Mott replied when asked by Mediaweek to confirm Ashford had been terminated.
In an email seen by Mediaweek, Mott told staff: “Guy Ashford has finished his employment as general manager of 2HD and NEW FM. We wish him well for the future.”
Mott said the company would “immediately commence a search for a general manager to lead our Newcastle operation.”
The incident happened at Carriageworks in Sydney on Thursday, 28 May 2026, after Darcey won Best Newcomer On Air – Medium for her program The Nightline with Cheralyn Darcey. Video filmed from the crowd showed Darcey appearing emotional as she walked on stage to accept the award before Ashford approached her in what appeared to be a congratulatory moment.
The footage showed Ashford embracing and twirling Darcey before grabbing her backside with his left hand, digging his fingers in with momentum, prompting audible gasps from the audience. Mediaweek reported multiple audience members filmed the incident and later contacted the publication to share the footage.
Mott had earlier told Mediaweek that Ashford had been suspended from his duties and said he had apologised to Darcey and her husband, who was also at the awards. “We will be having further discussions regarding the matter,” Mr Mott told Mediaweek at the time.
MFW, the online activist group responsible for Kyle and Jackie O’s demise promised to launch a campaign against the radio network saying “Fuck sake. FUCK SAKE. What will it take for men to keep their fucking hands off women, especially men in positions of power over those women?”.
Darcey hosts The Nightline on 2HD from 8pm to midnight, with the program networked from Sandgate to a large number of stations around Australia, including 2SM in Sydney. SRN is part of Broadcast Operations Group, which also owns Sydney station 2SM.
