Tony Armstrong admits he ‘isn’t comfortable’ with comments about his looks

Aussie TV’s Logie-winning favourite Tony Armstrong has opened up about the aspect of his catapult to fame that makes him “uncomfortable”.

There’s no doubt about it; ABC News Breakfast reporter Tony Armstrong has developed quite the fanbase over the past year.

The AFL player-turned-TV star has been an instant hit with viewers for his cool guy persona and down-to-earth presenting style, traits which no doubt led to him winning the Logie for Most Popular New Talent on Sunday night.

But there’s one aspect of his fame he struggles to feel “comfortable” with; thirsty comments about his looks.

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Logie winner Tony Armstrong. Picture: ABC.

Speaking to news.com.au’s I’ve Got News For You podcast this week, the 32-year-old former AFL star said he finds it “odd” to be talked about in terms of his appearance, musing that finding fame outside of his 20s has helped him understand the media machine.

“Every time you’re in the media, or every time you’re on telly, it always comes with some comment about your appearance … How does it feel being on the end of that when you’re doing your job?” IGNFY host Rowdie Walden asked Armstrong.

“It doesn’t necessarily make me comfortable, I would say,” he admitted.

“I’m not really super comfortable doing all the press stuff anyway, but when I’m talked about and I’m not really apart of it. I just find it all a bit odd.

“I’m lucky that im a bit older, I didn’t come into this at 18, I’ve come into at 32, so I can see it a bit more for what it is,” the host of ABC’s A Dog’s World added.

The former Adelaide Crows and Sydney Swans footy player switched from sport to media in 2020 when a friend suggested he try AFL radio commentary with the National Indigenous Radio Service.

A year later, in July 2021, he was announced as a permanent fixture on the ABC, replacing sports reporter Paul Kennedy on News Breakfast.

Since then he’s quickly gained traction as one of Aussie TV’s favourite presenters, with the help of a viral on-air slip of the tongue which saw him refer to cricket captain Tim Paine’s “bulging dick” instead of “bulging disc”.

Tony’s hilarious slip-up made headlines last year. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Reflecting on the memorable moment on IGNFY, Armstrong joked that there were “heart attacks” in the studio that day.

“Anyone who can’t see that that’s a Freudian slip … It was just so funny,” he quipped.

When asked about his Logies nomination, the humble star said he was “chuffed to even be nominated”.

“I never even thought I’d be on TV … so the last thing I thought of was the fact that I’d be on a red carpet for an award,” he said.

Armstrong of course went on to win the gong on Sunday night, taking the opportunity to give “the old cheese” (his mum) a heartfelt shout-out on stage.

Tony received the award for Most Popular New Talent.

“There’s a lot of people I need to thank but first of all the old cheese … mum … Margaret Anne Armstrong … she is a superstar,” he began.

“She has done everything for me and I wouldn’t be up here without her.

“So big thanks to her and please give her a clap, she will love it back home,” he said as the audience erupted in applause.