Eddie McGuire confirms he’s here to stay as Nine stars shuffle seats

His polished performance hosting Shane Warne’s memorial service proved there are few better in front of a live crowd. Now Eddie McGuire has inked a new deal.

Eddie McGuire might be fronting Channel 10’s Melbourne Cup coverage this year, but he is certainly not leaving nor lessening his roles at Channel 9.

In fact, word is we will be seeing more of McGuire on 9 in the coming years.

McGuire is understood to have recently signed a new deal with 9 that is expected to see him front major events and be part of special projects for the network while continuing as host of Hot Seat and Footy Classified.

His assured and polished performance hosting Shane Warne’s memorial service at the MCG in March once again proved there are few, if any, TV hosts in Australia who are better in a live major event setting than McGuire.

Eddie McGuire at the state memorial service for Shane Warne at the MCG. Picture: Getty Images

It is understood Nine was supportive of the opportunity for him to appear on network rival 10 as part of its four day Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcast this November.

Nine does not have any horse racing broadcast deals.

McGuire is also appearing fortnightly on Neil Mitchell’s 3AW morning show in a segment called the Ideas Factory which is guaranteed to make headlines as the two media heavyweights take a look at the state of the city, the suburbs, Victoria and the nation.

Meanwhile, Former Western Bulldogs favourite Nathan Brown is shortening as favourite to take over the The Sunday Footy Show hosting gig.

Regular host Tony Jones will be on assignment for four weeks starting later this month and the younger bucks on the show have been well aware of the boost that warming TJ’s seat would give their profile while he is out of the picture.

Brown however looks to be the frontrunner.

The Sunday Footy Show panel: Damian Barrett, Nathan Brown, Tony Jones, Kane Cornes and Matthew Lloyd.

“Sunday morning is the most fun I have at work for the week. It won’t be the same without TJ for a month but I’m sure we’ll manage,” Brown said when sounded out about his hosting ambitions on Friday.

“If I’m lucky enough to host the show while TJ is away, it will be a great opportunity to bring the hosting role into the 2020s.

“He’s a seasoned performer and has been at the top of his game for 30 years, but giving someone younger and more likeable an opportunity is a big call.”

Standby for a return of serve from the Wimbledon bound Jones on the show this morning.

The Sunday Footy Show has been embracing nostalgia this year, given that it is celebrating its 30th season in 2022.

And with such an established, experienced panel they don’t actually need to bring a new player into the club to act as host while Jones is away.