2GB radio host Mark Levy’s T-shirt raises eyebrows amid restaurant collapse
2GB’s Mark Levy has donned a T-shirt with a curious message about bad choices as his restaurant collapsed with massive debts to staff and creditors. Read about it in this week’s Unleashed.
2GB host Mark Levy donned a curious choice of T-shirt while hosting his radio show on Thursday morning. It said: “Bad choices make good stories”.
Could that be a reference to his failed Shire restaurant Pronto?
Levy made headlines this week when The Telegraph revealed the debts from his Italian and Balkan establishment in Sylvania had ballooned to almost $1.8m – and that’s not including 39 staff owed pay and entitlements.
Saint George Hospitality, the company behind Pronto, owes at least $99,000 to secured creditors, as well as another $1.66m to unsecured creditors – including $236,503 claimed by Levy himself – according to a report lodged with ASIC by liquidator Mitchell Ball.
Sydney construction and facilities management company Olima Industries is the largest creditor, and is owed $837,300; the tax office is listed as being owed $241,000; while another $237,500 is owed to Ainscough Holdings, the company which took the court action which led to the company’s liquidation.
His business woes are a dramatic contrast to the radio ratings for his 2GB Morning show, which went up in the latest survey.
But back to the crew neck black T-shirt.
It’s sold by the “big and tall” clothing retailer Johnny Bigg, which Levy is known to regularly promote on Instagram.
According to “Mr Bigg”, the T-shirt is best styled with denim shorts and sneakers.
“Sometimes, the best choices start with bad ones. The Bad Choices Crew Neck Tee by Johnny Bigg knows how to have fun while keeping you comfortable in soft cotton jersey fabric. Perfect for weekend wear or as a casual wardrobe staple,” the tee’s description says.
The back of the shirt repeats the “bad choices make good stories” slogan with additional text: “Every day since the beginning of time”, “100 per cent guilt free”, and a picture of a shot glass and lemon slice.
But in good news for cash-strapped Levy, the price has been slashed by 25 per cent from $49.99 a tee to $37.49.
PROMO PEDALS INTO A POTHOLE
Given it’s been a tough few years in ratings, it is understandable Nine’s Today breakfast show is doing all it can to get viewers to tune in.
This week though, was perhaps not great timing for one prominent giveaway on the show, where viewers are encouraged to enter a competition to win one of five e-bikes and helmets.
The competition is running at the very time The Daily Telegraph ran a front-page story detailing the new rules that will see the power on e-bikes halved.
Hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo aired a segment announcing the giveaway, riding the hot-pink hotrod e-bikes around Milsons Point.
One industry figure noted it was a bad look for Today to be promoting something that will soon be illegal.
“They are overpowered and dangerous,” a source said.
“They’ll soon be made illegal under the new rules announced by the government.
“They’re unregistered, uninsured motorbikes being ridden and promoted in a public place.”
On Tuesday, the government announced they will move to reduce the maximum legal power in e-bikes to 250 watts.
The models being given away retail for $2699 and pack a 500-watt motor, a level of power that will be effectively halved under new state government rules coming into force next year.
Nine has been contacted for comment.
HORSE RACING STAR HITS ROADBLOCK
He is one of the nation’s top jockeys, who can ride a horse like few others, but there is one thing Zac Lloyd cannot do at the moment – drive a car.
Lloyd, 22, has made a name for himself with his incredible efforts in the saddle over the past few years, winning the title as Sydney’s leading apprentice in back-to-back years before his graduation to a full time jockey.
But while making many trainers, connections and punters happy over the years, it seems he has, for some reason, fallen afoul of NSW Police. Lloyd’s licence was recently suspended, for reasons unknown.
What we do know is Lloyd initially signalled his intentions to appeal the suspension in court, with the matter listed in Parramatta Local Court last Thursday.
But Lloyd did not appear and his appeal was dismissed.
It seems the reason for Lloyd missing court may have been a clash of scheduling, as he was in the Hawkesbury, riding.
His first mount of the day was in race four aboard Three Arrows, which he steered to a win at a price of $12, before getting the ride on outside chance Boomtown Chat in the last, which could not hold on and faded to finish last.
Lloyd could not be contacted for comment.
While it remains unclear how long he will be out of the driver’s seat, at least he is not out of the saddle.
DAMON JETS INTO OZ FOR SEA BASH
Matt Damon has not-so-secretly snuck into Australia for a rumoured celebration.
The Hollywood star touched down in Cairns to refuel his private jet before heading to Hamilton Island.
Damon is a regular visitor here, partly due to his longstanding friendship with the Byron Bay-based Hemsworth clan.
Confidential understands Damon and his wife Luciana, are here to celebrate the year with friends.
This column was alerted to the arrival by an excited member of the Far North Queensland Plane Spotters public group on Facebook.
TROPHY HOME COUPLE RAISE THE ROOF
Paula and Andrew Liveris have taken Woollahra Council to the NSW Land & Environment Court to get some extra height for their approved Bellevue Hill trophy home plans.
Point Piper-based Paula, the wife of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games president who was the former Dow Chemical boss, bought the property for $28m in 2023.
The initial plans to demolish the 1947 house on its 1672sq m battle axe block were
approved in March.
The Polly Harbison-designed home comes with a $14.7m estimated cost.
The amendment lodged in June, that will go to an April 2026 hearing after Thursday’s directions hearing, seeks an extra 400mm in height.
There were 11 neighbourhood submissions.
SPOTTED
Doja Cat’s packed Qudos Bank Arena shows were the place to be this week. Confidential spotted actor Keiynan Lonsdale in the crowd, soaking up the atmosphere as he showed off his impressive dance moves.
Perhaps the influencers dancing nearby should have taken a leaf out of his book, as they filmed themselves lip-synching the whole way through the concert with their phone camera lights turned on, much to the annoyance of those watching Doja Cat’s extraordinary performance.
MIND-BENDING FUN IS NOT AN ILLUSION
Searching for an entertainment experience that goes beyond the traditional cultural outing can be tough, and this new attraction heading to the Harbour City might be exactly what you need.
Opening on December 19 and fresh off its launch in Santa Monica, the Museum of Illusions is a far cry from a typical museum.
It boasts the world’s largest and fastest-growing chain of interactive illusion spaces, with tickets for the George St location on sale now via museumofillusions.au.
Founded in Zagreb in 2015, the concept has expanded to more than 60 locations across 26 countries, captivating millions each year.
“We are super stoked to be adding another continent to our list,” Krystal Castaneda, general manager of the Santa Monica location, told Confidential’s Zara Powell.
“There is also a lot of real education and science in most of these illusions, which is perfect for school trips and those wanting to learn.”
As someone who rarely rushes to museums, the experience flipped my expectations.
The staff not only guide you through the exhibits, they also help you snap the perfect photo and that made going solo just as fun.
The new Sydney space will span over 9,000 square feet and packs in more than 80 interactive exhibits, from gravity defying rooms and holograms to 3D illusions and perspective bending installations.
As with all Museum of Illusions worldwide, the Sydney venue will draw from its surroundings.
The venue will also host private events and school excursions.
Confidential travelled to the US as a guest of the museum.
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Originally published as 2GB radio host Mark Levy’s T-shirt raises eyebrows amid restaurant collapse
