Shock update on 2HD general manager Guy Ashford who groped female colleague Cheralyn Darcey at awards ceremony

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA and STEPHEN GIBBS, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 12:13, 5 June 2026 | Updated: 12:29, 5 June 2026 A radio executive who groped a female colleague at an industry awards ceremony has been sacked. Cheralyn Darcey, whose late-night show is syndicated out of 2HD in Newcastle, won a best on-air newcomer honour at the Australian Audio Awards held in Sydney last week. As Darcey went to collect her award at Redfern's Carriageworks, 2HD general manager Guy Ashford rushed on stage, hugged and twirled his employee around, then grabbed her backside. Footage of the incident captured gasps from the shocked crowd. Ashford was subsequently stood down by Super Radio Network, which has since terminated his employment. 'Yes, he's gone,' SRN chief executive Graham Mott told Mediaweek on Friday. Staff were informed of the decision via email, the publication reported. 'Guy Ashford has finished his employment as general manager of 2HD and NEW FM. We wish him well for the future,' Mott wrote. 2HD general manager Guy Ashford has had his employment terminated by Super Radio Network He groped female colleague Cheralyn Darcey at an industry awards night last Thursday night SRN will now 'immediately commence a search for a general manager to lead our Newcastle operation.' Daily Mail has contacted Mr Mott for further comment.  It comes after Darcey reported her boss to management and was said to be 'relieved' and 'happy' with how SRN has responded internally. 'She's genuinely happy with the way the station has reacted,' one source told the publication. 'People probably expected her not to go back on air, but it's her way of showing that she's getting the support from the network she needs.' Ashford's professional background was in sales, rather than radio presenting or news, which often caused friction with journalists. One Newcastle broadcaster who has worked in radio and television for more than 30 years told Daily Mail that Ashford 'always seemed like a used car salesman'. 'I've never been a big fan of the bloke,' he said.  'This couldn't have happened to a nicer a***hole.' Cheralyn Darcey is said to be 'relieved' and 'happy' with how SRN has responded internally The broadcaster described Ashford as 'an old-fashioned schmooze' who enjoyed entertaining clients in private boxes at home games of the Knights in the NRL or the Jets in soccer's A-League. 'He's like a younger version of Les Patterson,' the media veteran said, referring to the late comedian Barry Humphries' fictional diplomat and cultural attaché. Darcey hosts The Nightline, an 8pm to midnight program broadcast on the Super Radio Network to stations including 2SM, and was named best on-air newcomer in a medium market.  Earlier in the week, a distraught Darcey told Daily Mail she did not want to discuss what had happened at the ceremony. 'I don't really want to talk to anybody,' she said. 'It's wrecked my award, that's all. I really don't want to make any statement. I just can't. 'I've worked all my life for this. I feel like people just think I'm a joke now.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.