Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin announces sudden retirement

NRL icon Paul “Fatty” Vautin has left the sport shocked with an announcement that ends an era of Australian TV.

Rugby league guru Phil Gould has led a wave of emotional messages sent to Paul Vautin following the TV icon’s shock retirement announcement on Sunday morning.

The larrikin commentator known as “Fatty” confirmed he is stepping down at the age of 65 after 33 years on Australian TV,

The Queensland State of Origin cult hero said he made the decision because he didn’t have the energy needed to keep up with the changing sport.

“I’m 65 and I’ve run out of petrol,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“When I think about my life I have to say it’s all been a surprise; the television career, my football career. I remember thinking as a 15 or 16-year-old redheaded, freckly kid that I didn’t know what I was gonna do with my life, and then when I look at what I’ve done, I’m still surprised.”

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According to the report, Vautin told Channel 9 bosses last month that he was not going to return in 2025.

NRL journalist Danny Weidler reports Vautin first began considering retirement following the Panthers’ 2024 Grand Final triumph.

While Vautin may have been planning the move for some time, the news has come as a shock for the entire rugby league industry. He finished the 2024 season still one of the most-loved figures in the game.

Paul Vautin and Wally Lewis at Suncorp Stadium. AAP Image/Steve Pohlner.

In an eyebrow-raising comment, Vautin also appeared to suggest he is walking away because he does not like the direction the game is going down with recent rule changes.

“The players are unbelievable, but there are things about it now that irritate me, like the six again and dropouts that are contested,” he said.

“I don’t want to become that cranky old guy who complains about a sport that made him what he is.”

He has singled out legends Wally Lewis, Ray Warren, Peter Sterling, Phil Gould, Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith as colleagues he felt honoured to work with.

He also spoke with affection for former Footy Show co-hosts Steve Roach, Matty Johns, ‘Chief’ Paul Harragon, Darryl Brohman and Mario Fenech.

“What really gives me joy though, is running into people to this day who say nice things about what we did,” he said.

Nobody could save the Footy Show from the scrap heap. Picture: Jason Edwards.

“It makes me quite emotional when I meet people, and it happens often, who say to me, ‘That show brought my family together’.

“I remember meeting a guy recently who thanked me for the relationship that he and his dad had because they bonded over watching The Footy Show. And when you hear things like that, that it brought families together, and kept them together, that’s better than anything.”

Gould’s note to his former Origin rival said it all.

“Paul Vautin. Champion bloke. One of a kind,” he wrote on Twitter.

“I’ve always said about Paul, that it takes a smart man to play the fool. Paul had the smart football brain, but was able to entertain the masses with his humour and unique personality.

“He made football fun. Through the Channel 9 Footy Show and his individual commentary style, Fatty sold our game to millions of people over the years.

“It was an incredible example of talent recruitment when Channel Nine Sports Boss Gary Burns decided to employ this bloke to be the face of rugby league TV.

“What a masterstroke. An outstanding career as a representative class player, Manly Premiership winning Captain, legend State of Origin Coach, Prime Time TV show host, outstanding commentator, comedian, genuine true-blue Aussie.

“Well done Fat. Best wishes to you and your family for many happy years ahead.”

NRL commentators at Channel 9 have posted moving messages since the news emerged on Sunday morning.

“Congratulations to my good mate Paul Vautin on a terrific career,” caller Peter Psaltis said.

“Enjoy retirement mate and thanks for providing us with so much great entertainment for many years. And on a personal note, Paul provided me support and advice and many laughs. A great man.”

TV commentator Mat Thompson wrote on Twitter: “I’ve been lucky to work with some wonderful people over the decades. None better than the great Paul Vautin.

One of the great pairs Australian TV has known.

“A genius on TV and a gentlemen off camera. Congrats on a stellar career Fat. Enjoy hanging with the family & strolling the fairways in retirement.”

NRL radio commentator Andrew Moore wrote: “Paul Vautin was an outstanding player and premiership winning Captain. He coached QLD to state or origins most miraculous win. And also happens to be one of the best people I’ve ever met.

“Not to mention 25 years hosting a successful TV show. What a career.”

Vautin still has radio commitments and it is unclear if he will continue in those roles.

According to Nine, Vautin’s TV career achievements include 11 Logie Awards for best sports entertainment program with the Footy Show and the 2003 Logie for most popular sports presenter.

He featured in 204 games for Manly and played 22 State of Origin games for Queensland. He coached the Maroons to a famous 3-0 series sweep in 1995.

Vautin was last month inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.

Psaltis now says, “It’s time for him to be put in the NRL Hall of Fame”.

The goofy footy commentator will be remembered forever as the face of the Footy Show during its 25-years on air.

Vautin was famously axed from the show he helped make famous when he was given the chop in 2017 in a desperate final roll of the dice to save the show from its ratings nosedive.

Beau Ryan, Daryl Broham and Paul Vautin. Picture: Gregg Porteous.

The Footy Show was killed for good just 12 months after Vautin had been given the flick.

“Yes, it actually hurt a lot,” Vautin said of the moment he found out the show had been cancelled.

“I loved every single show. We got into a 24th year and I loved the two hours of off the cuff live television sitting among friends.”

The report claimed Vautin was told of his axing while on a family holiday in the United States.

He was then shifted to a more prominent role in live match broadcasts.

He said at the time it was a miracle that he had been able to carve out such a long career in TV.

“I was very fortunate, especially since I had everything against me,” he said.

“I played for Manly who everyone hated, and Queensland who they also hated down there as well and I had red hair. I mean — hello.”

Vautin last year left viewers with tears in their eyes when he delivered an emotional tribute to his late father George live on air.

Vautin fronted Channel 9’s commentary team despite his father passing away the previous day.

He was a pro right to the end.

Originally published as Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin announces sudden retirement