Broadcaster Ray Hadley has agreed to stay at Nine Radio until the end of 2026, signing a two-and-a-half-year extension that will take the 2GB talkback host and sports commentator through to his seventh Olympic Games and 100th State of Origin match.

Hadley is one of Nine’s marquee hosts, winning his time slot since 2004, but had been expected to step down at the end of his current contract and go travelling with his wife, Sophie Baird, to Europe. On his Friday show, Hadley said Baird had agreed to push back their plans without complaint.

“I’m staying, I’m happy I’m staying, and I appreciate the attention that’s been paid to the matter by [Nine radio boss] Tom Malone,” Hadley said. His decision to remain with Nine secures a key personality for its stations at a time when many other big names in the industry, from Alan Jones to Jon Faine and Red Symons, have left their long-term shows amid an overall decline in the medium.

The Australian reported on Friday that Hadley’s deal could be worth up to $9 million. Industry sources familiar with the deal, who weren’t authorised to speak publicly, said the figure was inaccurate and substantially exaggerated.

Hadley, who has a style that is forthright to the point of occasional controversy and has tussled with politicians and other broadcasters, said he would not be changing.

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“If you like what I do, well, I guess you’d be happy,” Hadley told his listeners. “If you don’t like what I do [then] for three-and-a-half years, bad luck, as has been the case for the last 40 years.

“I’ll continue to do what I’ve done always in broadcasting: try to get justice for those who feel unrepresented and hold politicians to account.”

Hadley made a point of praising his wife, production staff and Nine. He said the media giant allowed him to broadcast uncensored. “I do what I do and if I cross lines, I cross lines... They leave it up to me because they trust my judgment.”