Page 13: Tony Armstrong’s departure from ABC News Breakfast sparks interest from mainstream networks

After announcing his exit from ABC News Breakfast, rumours are swirling about where Gold Logie nominee Tony Armstrong will land next – and some say it’s this major network.

“It’s been a funny old week.”

And with that popular TV presenter Tony Armstrong bid farewell to the ABC News Breakfast show which made him a bona fide star and “given me everything”.

Just days before Armstrong was feeling the chill from his employer after being exposed on ABC program Media Watch on Monday for doing voiceovers for an insurance company while working on the public broadcaster, a big no in their strict editorial and policy guidelines.

But on Friday he was putting all of that behind him, diplomatically saying his time at the ABC had been a ‘whirlwind’ and confessing it had been a ‘funny old week.’

“Mixed feelings. You can tell by my body language, I don’t like talking about myself too much, despite being in a career where I’m in front of a camera,” he said.

Tony Armstrong has caught the attention of mainstream TV network big wigs. Picture: Chris Hyde

“It’s been such a whirlwind three years. Believe it or not, I was nervous when I started.”

“It didn’t last long. But yeah, that wasn’t all that long ago. And yeah, News Breakfast has given me everything, really. It’s given me, it’s given me a joy ride!”

The Gold Logie nominee praised the popular news breakfast show and long running host Michael Rowland, adding: “I wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in today to be able to walk out on my own terms, and into whatever is next.”

While it was stated he would be doing as unyet announced show for Aunty next year, media insiders have been speculated he will move to a mainstream network, with some believing he may also by another new recruit on the Channel 7 books.

“I don’t really know exactly what it is yet... I’m just very thankful to everyone who watches and everyone who said such nice things to me across the course of this week particularly.

The Gamilaroi man began full-time work in 2021 and has since gone on to win the Graham Kennedy Award at the 2022 Logie Awards for Most Popular New Talent as well as the 2023 Bert Newton Award for Most Popular Presenter.

“I’m going to miss the News Breakfast family. And as we all know, Steph, and Michael, you guys know — it is more than just the people out here,” he said.

“We’ve got a bunch of producers and everyone, directors, people on autocue, who are doing the work of four or five people. And everyone does it so well.”