‘Miserable joint’: Kyle Sandilands defends Tony Armstrong after ‘moonlighting’ claims

Kyle and Jackie O has come to ABC star Tony Armstrong’s defence after it was revealed he didn’t ask his network before taking up a new side gig.

Radio hosts Kyle and Jackie O have come to Tony Armstrong’s defence after it was revealed the ABC star did not get permission from his employer before taking up a new side gig.

The ABC’s Media Watch program on Monday night said it was “astonishing” the ABC News Breakfast host had failed to get the all-clear from network bosses before he voiced private adverts for NRMA Insurance.

“It’s a shame this moonlighting at the expense of the ABC’s integrity is what we’re talking about in his final week on News Breakfast,” his ABC colleague,host Janine Perrett, said.

The ads, which Armstrong did not physically appear in, have been on TV screens since July, including during the Olympics.

Armstrong’s distinctive tones even appeared on sponsorship credits during programs on rival network Channel 9.

Media Watch said it was “astonishing” Armstrong failed to get the all-clear from network bosses before he became the voice of NRMA Insurance. Picture: James Gourley/Getty/TV Week

Weighing in on the issue on The Kyle and Jackie O show, KIIS FM radio hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson defended Armstrong’s decision to pick up the extra job.

“Who cares? What is their mantra? ‘Work here and make no money anywhere else’,” Henderson said on the show.

“Yeah be an a**wipe forever that no one watches on TV,” Sandilands added.

“It’s such a miserable joint to work at.”

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson defended Armstrong’s decision to pick up the side gig. Picture: Instagram: @jackieo_official

During Media Watch, Perrett noted Armstrong – who announced he was quitting ABC News Breakfast last week – is arguably one of the network’s “biggest stars”.

“He’s not only on the breakfast TV couch, he’s appeared at night on a new sports show, he’s one of many appearing in ABC News promos and is the face of a new five part series,” she said.

“So we were stunned when we got confirmation that Tony was selling an insurance company as well”.

The ABC’s editorial guidelines do not outright ban staff from doing commercial work but it asks them to “quantify the risk” of doing so.

Household ABC stars, such as Annabel Crabb, earn some extra cash by doing corporate MC gigs.

“(But) voicing commercials is a whole different game,” said Perrett.

The public broadcaster’s guidelines state that “high profile presenters are often seen as faces or voices of the ABC”.

“Any work that involves endorsing a commercial product or service is extremely high risk,” the guidelines add.

“For all external work, you must … obtain approval from your manager”.

Tony Armstrong quit ABC Breakfast. Picture: ABC

Perrett said Media Watch had asked the ABC if it knew of Armstrong’s work for NRMA Insurance and if he had been given approval to voice the ads.

“Astonishingly, he did not,” she said.

In a statement, ABC said the voiceover was done without its knowledge due to a “misunderstanding,” with Armstrong’s external representatives.

“They have been provided a copy of the external work guidelines and reminded all ABC employees are required to meet them,” the statement continued.

“Tony is a high valued employee and has the ABC’s full support.”

Armstrong announced last week he had “retired from News Breakfast”.

“I just want to thank Brekky and the broader ABC News team for welcoming me in with open arms and helping me grow over the past few years,” he said at the time.

His last show will be this Friday.

News.com.au contacted Liberty Artist Management to seek comment from Tony Armstrong but it did not respond before publication.