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The Source: Phantom of the Opera’s Josh Piterman blasts national anthem coverage at sporting events

Musical star Josh Piterman has taken aim at TV stations for cutting away from artists bringing their “A-game” to national anthem performances at major sporting events.

Piterman says artists are being dudded during national anthem performances.
Piterman says artists are being dudded during national anthem performances.

Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers.

With the nation in the grips of Matildamania, former Phantom of the Opera star Josh Piterman has cast an justifiably angry shadow over pre-match proceedings.

“Broadcasters of national anthems at major sporting events in Australia,” Piterman wrote on social media to Channel 9, 7, 10 and Fox Sport.

“What are the chances of giving artists more than 3 seconds of airtime during their performance? We fight tooth and nail to get these gigs, often sending multiple audition tapes and recordings, they are high pressure, heavily scrutinised and require us to be on our absolute A-game, yet artists are left with airtime crumbs.

Piterman added: “Not asking for the full minute, but please give some more value to the artists sharing their talent. Thank you.”

Piterman, who played the Phantom in London, Sydney and Melbourne, is playing the lead in Les Miserables on the West End.

He has performed the national anthem at two NRL State of Origin matches, and the Boxing Day test at the MCG.

Got a tip? Let us know at thesource@heraldsun.com.au

Andy Lee’s Hawthorn mansion renovation hits a new snag

Andy Lee’s ceiling saga at his $8m derelict mansion has hit another snag.

Popular broadcaster Lee and his partner, model Rebecca Harding, are planning $5m worth of renovations at their riverside manor on Yarra Grove.

They bought the property for $8m in 2021.

However, Lee revealed gaping holes in the ceiling of one room, with the rafter doubling as a home for wildlife squatters.

He also hit socials and put out a cheeky renovation rescue call to TV tradie and The Block host, Scott Cam.

“Back at the house today,” Lee posted on Instagram a few weeks back.

“It seems the ceiling might need a little bit of patchwork but the rest is perfectly ready to be lived in. Just ask any of the pigeons and possums.”

Nine’s public relations boss Victoria Buchan commented on the wrecked roof with: “Big job”.

Lee replied: “Can you lend us Scotty Cam?”

Buchan replied that The Block foremen Keith Schleiger and Dan Reilly were “a better deal”.

When the Source showed Lee’s post to Cam the TV tradie provided some free advice – “fix the hole in the roof” – but added: “Tell him he’s on his own”.

In the latest instalment of Handy(man) Andy, Lee told The Source he still though Cam was the man for the job.

“Scotty hasn’t reached out personally, yet,” he said.

“He’s on (Lee’s TV game show) The 100 soon, so I’ll have to take it up with him then.

“But what he doesn’t know is, in the late 1800s, they used seaweed for installation, so the whole ceiling is full of seaweed.”

Lee joked: “I’m trying to sell it to a Japanese restaurant to make money and finish the restoration”.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/the-source/the-source-andy-lees-ceiling-saga-takes-a-new-twist-and-he-still-hasnt-given-up-enlisting-scott-cam/news-story/f55811bfea3a7a3ca5aa277edcf167af