Eddie McGuire dismisses claims that Rebecca Maddern will be marginalised on new Footy Show

THE cast of The Footy Show has been spied filming outside its Docklands studios, with Eddie McGuire apparently turning to Braveheart for inspiration. SEE EXCLUSIVE PICTURES

EDDIE McGuire has apparently turned to Braveheart for inspiration as he gets set to relaunch The Footy Show tonight.

McGuire was spied outside the show’s Docklands studios filming what is reportedly part of a new opening titles sequence for the rebooted program.

The plot of Mel Gibson’s Academy Award winning 1995 film would resonate with McGuire who donned a hairpiece and blue face paint and was riding a horse for the cameras.

Eddie McGuire appears to be rehearsing a scene with a Braveheart theme. Picture: Kylie Else

Eddie McGuire on a horse during filming of what appears to be a scene with a Braveheart theme. Picture: Kylie Else

Sam Newman and Bec Maddern appear to share a joke during filming outside The Footy Show’s Docklands studio. Picture: Kylie Else

Braveheart’s Scot William Wallace put up noble fight against English forces in the 13th century.

McGuire is fighting to bring The Footy Show back to ratings success in 2017. If he can pull off that feat he will be a hero.

The filming comes as McGuire refuted claims that Rebecca Maddern would be sidelined on the show and re-asserted that Sam Newman would be free to speak his mind.

McGuire, who has shed 15kg in recent weeks, also says that The Footy Show will be on the hunt for big name music and movie stars as it moves towards a variety format reminiscent of Graham Kennedy’s In Melbourne Tonight.

Sam Newman in an old car. Picture: Alex Coppel

Sam Newman and Bec Maddern during filming outside The Footy Show’s Docklands studio. Picture: Kylie Else

Sam Newman during filming outside The Footy Show’s Docklands studio. Picture: Kylie Else

Eddie McGuire on a horse during filming of what appears to be a scene with a Braveheart theme. Picture: Kylie Else

Yesterday McGuire saw the new-look set for the first time. Today he and Maddern and Sam Newman will be doing camera rehearsals.

“I’m jumping out of my skin,” McGuire said.

“I’ve loved this show so much when I hosted. It was such a big part of my life but for twelve years it hasn’t been. I’d blocked it out of my head because it wasn’t something I ever contemplated coming back and doing again.”

McGuire is quick to slam rumours that surfaced on the weekend that Maddern was set to be marginalised in the new format.

Rebecca Maddern is hot after the massive success of Australian Ninja Warrior which she co-hosted with Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff and Ben Fordham. Picture: Channel 9

“She’ll be co-hosting the show,” McGuire said.

“Rebecca is one of the most successful hosts on Australian television at the moment (after co-hosting Australian Ninja Warrior).

“She knows her stuff. She’ll be able to hold her own. There is no marginalisation — quite the contrary.”

And McGuire says he will stay true to his word of “letting Newman off the leash”. Viewers can expect the former Geelong champion to be as controversial as ever.

Eddie McGuire says he wants Sam Newman to be as controversial as ever on the new-look Footy Show.

“Sam is one of the most unique, entertaining and intellectual people you’ll find on TV,” McGuire said.

“I want him to be himself. He’s allowed to have a contrary point of view. There will be debate and discussion. I want Sam to be honest. I don’t want him sitting there (gagged).

“He is what he is. I don’t want a facsimile or a watered-down version.”

The Project has had a lock on visiting music and movie stars in recent years but McGuire says The Footy Show will now be a destination-of-choice.

McGuire says he wants the new-look Footy Show to tread in the footsteps of greats including In Melbourne Tonight with Graham Kennedy and Bert Newton.

“In the past we had Lionel Richie and Cyndi Lauper on The Footy Show,” McGuire said. “Anyone who is in town (is welcome). There aren’t many shows these days to showcase themselves. The Footy Show will get back to that.

“We want people to watch a show that they feel is big and exciting. I’ve come back because this show is important to football.

“I love the adventure of live television and the challenge of looking at things that have seen better days and refurbishing them and making them big again.

“This show is so important to the game of football. If we get it back to its glory days, or whatever the 2017 equivalent is, it will be a major fillip for the development of the game.

“A lot of people have been death-writing it but they don’t realise that if it goes (is axed) there won’t be another footy show like it for 25 years.”