‘Traumatic’: Today star’s heartfelt tears as he accepts Father of the Year

Today Extra host David Campbell fought back tears during a heartfelt speech while paying tribute to his father, Jimmy Barnes.

David Campbell couldn't hold back his tears as he accepted the award for Father of the Year. Picture: Channel 9.

David Campbell couldn’t hold back his tears as he and his dad, Jimmy Barnes, jointly won the 2024 Australian Father of the Year award.

The Today Extra host teared up as he took to the stage to accept The Fathering Project award, reflecting on what it means to be a dad to his three children, Leo, Billy and Betty.

“I can honestly tell you we won the lottery, we really did,” Campbell said, slowly tearing up.

“They teach us how to parent them as individuals for all their own needs, their talents and their unbelievable zest for life, I am the father that I am today - of the year - because I fathered them.”

David Campbell couldn't hold back his tears as he accepted the award for Father of the Year. Picture: Channel 9.

“So to Leo, Billy and Betty, thank you for being patient, I had no idea what I was doing, but you make me laugh and the most part you listen to your mum and I when we try to guide you through this fantastical life that you’re going to live,” he added, wiping the tears from his eyes and trying to retain his composure.

While Campbell’s dad, who recently underwent surgery, sadly couldn’t be there to accept the award with his son, the Extra host had nothing but praise for him.

“He takes fatherhood really, really personally, he had a very traumatic childhood growing up and it was really, really difficult for him,” Campbell explained.

The Extra host celebrated the heartwarming moment with his three children. Picture: Channel 9

Campbell called his father Jimmy Barnes his “North Star” while expressing his admiration for the star. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.

“He had a lot of trauma, a lot of abuse, which he’s written about and he’s had to overcome all of that and of course, he had a lot of problems in his life.

“But the fact that he then became a parent with Jane, to my brothers and sisters and to me, has been the thing that he’s been able to improve his past and change the future by raising us and giving us the tools that we needed to be better.”

The Aussie presenter went on to say his father has been his very own “North Star” in his life.

“And for me, no matter what, he’s been my North Star, even with his mistakes, because I watch him improve on that all the time and he’s an incredible grandfather to not only my kids, but the 127 grandkids he has. “But also, I watch him as a father and as I’m ageing as well and how to improve my parenting as they get taller and they mature and how I have to change the way I parent and communicate with them,” he added.

Originally published as ‘Traumatic’: Today star’s heartfelt tears as he accepts Father of the Year