Tony Armstrong quits ABC News Breakfast after three years
The popular TV host has revealed he’s stepping down from ABC News Breakfast after rising to fame on the show three years ago.
Entertainment
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Tony Armstrong has announced he’s leaving ABC News Breakfast.
Speaking on-air Tuesday morning, the popular presenter, 34, said his final show would be next Friday, October 4.
“I’ve been pretty nervous about doing this,” Armstrong began, before going on to say he had “retired from News Breakfast.”
“I just want to thank Brekky and the broader ABC News team for welcoming me in with open arms and helping me grow over the past few years,” he added. “[It] feels like I’ve been on a bit of a rocket ship.”
Armstrong continued, “I’m going to miss the couch. Not the alarm, but I’ll miss the couch. And, yeah, I’ve had such a ball. I’m going to miss everyone but, um, yeah. You’ll still see me around.”
Armstrong, a proud Gamilaroi man, will remain with the network, where he’s set to host a new, yet to be announced series which will air next year.
Co-host Michael Rowland paid tribute to Armstrong, saying, “I am so sorry three years of talking sport and swapping gags with Tony is about to end.”
“He is an engaging colleague and a good friend. In fact, there’s no one I would rather sit through an earthquake with. We did. Google it.”
Fellow host host Bridget Brennan echoed Rowland’s sentiments, describing Armstrong as a “wonderful friend.”
“Everyone at News Breakfast is going to miss his infectious and caring nature,” she said.
“I know it’s meant so much to me and to thousands upon thousands of First Nations viewers waking up to see Tony representing us on the daily.”
Armstrong has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame in the local media landscape after joining the ABC as a fill-in sports reporter in 2020.
The former AFL player quickly went on to replace Paul Kennedy as the program’s new sports presenter in 2021.
He was nominated for his first Gold Logie this year, just two years after taking home Best New Talent.
The ABC has not yet revealed who will replace Armstrong on the desk.
“Tony Armstrong is a once-in-a-generation talent and it has been fantastic watching him soar in his role at News Breakfast,” ABC director of news Justin Stevens said.
“I can’t wait to see what he does into the future and see his career continue to go from strength to strength.”
Aside from charming viewers with his laidback approach to broadcasting, Armstrong has also earned somewhat of a heartthrob status, often described on social media as “Australia’s husband.”
However, Armstrong has admitted the glare on his private life isn’t a factor he’s comfortable with.
Speaking to Stellar in July, the presenter opened up about his relationship with girlfriend Rona Glynn-McDonald, whom he “hard launched” on Instagram last November.
“I don’t really do too many interviews and stuff like that, and if I do, I normally keep it about what I’m doing, not about me,” he said at the time.
“I was nervous too, to be honest [about going public with his romance].
“It’s pretty weird having … well, not ‘having to’ – we didn’t have to do anything, but being in a relationship where it becomes a public thing, I’m a bit nervous even talking about it in retrospect because I like my privacy as well.
“I’ve realised as I get older in the public eye, you can’t get it back. Once you’ve given that bit of you away, that’s out there, that’s gone.”
Originally published as Tony Armstrong quits ABC News Breakfast after three years
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