Nine News anchor Peter Hitchener taking time off after falling ill during live broadcast

Beloved anchorman Peter Hitchener will take some time off to recover after he fell ill during a live bulletin on Monday night.

Nine News Melbourne anchor Peter Hitchener will take time off after he fell ill during his 6pm live bulletin on Monday.

Hitchener was expected to return to the Nine Newsdeskon Tuesday, but will instead take another day to rest and recover.

Hitchener texted a message of thanks for the support and well-wishes he received from concerned viewers to 3AW broadcaster Neil Mitchell on Tuesday morning.

It followed a tweet from the beloved newsreader which read: “Thanks so much for your well wishes … I am feeling better already. I am most grateful for your support.”

But a Nine spokesman said Hitchener will not return to work to read the 6pm news on Tuesday night. The spokesman said: “He’s feeling fine and ready to go, but he’ll take another day to rest up.”

Twitter lit up with messages of support for Hitchener.

Neil Mitchell said: “Get right. Don’t do your usual trick and come back too soon. Rest.”

The Project’s Peter Helliar added: “Glad to hear you’re OK legend.”

Broadcaster Christian O’Connell said: “Great news sir. We love ya legend.”

Thanks so much for all the support, most grateful. I’m well and resting up today, and look forward to returning to @9NewsMelb tomorrow night. Take care pic.twitter.com/cWO57xaj38

— Peter Hitchener (@phitchener9) March 30, 2021

On Monday, Hitchener, 75, was in the middle of his 6pm live bulletin when he suddenly became unwell and had to be replaced by another newsreader.

The popular broadcaster, 75, was seen taking a deep breath and fell silent as he struggled to read out the day’s headlines.

Sports anchor Clint Stanaway took over, saying: “Welcome back to Nine News, Peter Hitchener just feeling a little unwell but we do press on.”

Nine News Melbourne issued a statement saying Hitchener had experienced a migraine and was resting.

“While reading tonight’s bulletin of Nine News, Peter Hitchener experienced a migraine,” said the statement. “He is now resting and we expect to see him back on deck tomorrow night. He is grateful for everyone’s concern.”

The news anchor himself then took to social media to thank concerned viewers for their concerns.