While much of the media class has watched Andrew Bolt’s implosion over the end of Tony Abbott’s prime ministership with some interest, he’s been having a far more pleasant time palling around with Ray Hadley on 2GB these past two weeks. Last Saturday the 2GB Mornings host aired the second part of his profile interview with the News Corp columnist.

Here’s Bolt on the grief he’s caused News Corp over the years — it provides an interesting response to Stephen Mayne’s piece in Crikey on Friday:

“Rupert Murdoch has guts. He will back you … even if it costs advertising.

“Not many people who would tolerate the legal action to try and silence me. It all costs. It costs so much. And yet he’s done it, and he’s stuck with me. I feel a loyalty to him for his courage … that I wouldn’t give to many others. John Singleton is of the same cast — you cannot cow this bloke. People don’t realise that. Other organisations go to water on this stuff.

“People should realise … if it isn’t for the Murdochs or the Singletons, you wouldn’t hear alternative voices that the political and media class want to crush.

Towards the end of the chat, Ray Hadley asks Bolt if he’d consider going on radio full time. Bolt, who already does a show with Steve Price on Monday nights, responds:

“Yeah, at some stage. But until they pay me a Ray Hadley-sized salary, I can’t afford to drop the other gig.”

But he’d be so good at it, Hadley enthused. “You’re ready … and I think you could have a great impact. Andrew Bolt on radio would be a revelation. I’m not saying what you’re doing now isn’t important. But solo, mainstream …” Bolt promised to listen to Hadley and Alan Jones, to see what he could pick up.

“But I’ve never thought of myself in that position … I’m not into popular culture in a huge way, I didn’t grow up with it. I don’t feel like the every-man in any real sense. The fact that I’ve got where I’ve got is an astonishment to me.

“I used to be the guy who go to parties and think, what am I going to say that’s of remote interest to anybody? I’d stand in the corner near the piano … Now, 30 years later, people pay me … It’s bizarre!”

— Myriam Robin