Tony Armstrong shocked followers when he confirmed he will likely be stepping down from his function with ABC Information Breakfast in a reside announcement on Tuesday.
However there had seemingly been a telltale signal pointing in the direction of his exit because the sports activities presenter, 34, had revealed one other huge change simply days earlier.
Over the weekend, he introduced that he has taken his skills away from the TV display and turned to writing in an sudden profession transfer.
The previous Sydney Swans participant confirmed he has created a kids’s ebook referred to as George the Wizard, which is slated for launch on September 25.
The image ebook tells the story of a lonely sorcerer’s seek for buddies and has been illustrated by Emma Sjaan Beukers.
His ebook will likely be launched lower than 24 hours after he confirmed he will likely be leaving ABC Information Breakfast after three years.
Talking to the Courier Mail about his new ebook, Tony stated he was approached to put in writing about his footy profession, however opted to put in writing a ebook for youngsters as an alternative.
‘It is about my studying degree,’ he joked about his thrilling new challenge.
Tony Armstrong shocked followers when he confirmed he will likely be stepping down from his function with ABC Information Breakfast in a reside announcement on Tuesday
‘I like being on the planet of the improbable and being a bit foolish. Youngsters’ books simply throw the principles even additional out the window.
‘It is simply really feel and emotion and I used to be drawn to that – the one factor holding you up is you.’
Tony, who’s a proud Gamilaroi man from NSW, stated he did need to write a footy ebook or ‘essentially’ create an Indigenous-led story.
‘Primarily as a result of I believe that is what folks anticipated,’ he defined. ‘I like zagging once I’m anticipated to zig.’
On Tuesday morning, Tony confirmed reside on ABC Information Breakfast that he will likely be leaving his sports activities presenting function in a matter of days.
Tony revealed his final present will air in lower than two weeks time on October 4 however shared his hopes that he’ll be capable of return as a visitor whereas selling his ebook.
‘I have been fairly nervous about doing this,’ Tony confirmed.
‘I’ve retired from Information Brekkie and my final day will likely be October 4.
‘I simply need to thank completely everybody – all of you guys, my colleagues, everybody behind the digicam, all of the producers, all of the individuals who watch as properly and are available up on the street and say g’day and all that form of stuff.
‘Um, yeah, it has been a whirlwind form of three-and-a-touch years, quite a bit’s occurred, it looks like I have been on a little bit of a rocket ship, however the assist that I’ve received from Information Brekkie and information generally has been wonderful.
However there had seemingly been a telltale signal pointing in the direction of his exit because the sports activities presenter, 34, had revealed one other huge change simply days earlier
Over the weekend, he introduced that he has taken his skills away from the TV display and turned to writing, together with his image ebook George the Wizard slated for launch on September 25
‘Enormous thanks, I will miss the sofa – I am not going to overlook the alarm, however I will miss the sofa – I’ve had such a ball.’
Whereas he’s stepping down from the breakfast present, he cryptically informed followers that it isn’t the final time they are going to see him gracing their TV screens.
Hinting at extra huge profession adjustments forward, Tony confirmed he will likely be engaged on an thrilling new challenge with the ABC subsequent 12 months however remained coy on the small print.
‘I’ve received one thing popping out early subsequent 12 months, not allowed to say what it’s but, it is high secret,’ he teased.
His co-host Michael Rowland then paid tribute to Tony as he shared his sorrow concerning the fan favorite expertise stepping down from this system.
He gushed: ‘We’ll miss you, I will miss swapping sports activities tales and gags with you, actually mate – despite the fact that you are not a morning particular person, we will all attest to that – you’ve got brightened so many mornings.’
He went on to reference Tony’s milestone 2024 Gold Logie nomination and awards wins in earlier years as he praised him for the celebrated achievements.
‘I am so glad this present has supplied you with a platform to change into an award-winning family identify and you will go on to a lot greater and higher issues,’ he stated.
His fellow host Bridget Brennan added: ‘I do know it is meant a lot to me and to 1000’s upon 1000’s of First Nations viewers waking as much as see Tony representing us on the each day.’
The ABC has not but confirmed who will take over from Tony on the breakfast present’s sport desk.
However ABC’s director of reports Justin Stevens stated: ‘Tony Armstrong is a once-in-a-generation expertise and it has been improbable watching him soar in his role at News Breakfast.
‘I can not wait to see what he does into the long run and see his profession proceed to go from power to power.’
Tony’s loyal followers have been fast to take to social media to share their disappointment that he’ll now not be a staple on ABC’s morning TV.
On Tuesday morning, Tony confirmed reside on ABC Information Breakfast that he will likely be leaving his sports activities presenting function on October 4 in a shock profession transfer
‘Tony Armstrong is leaving ABC News Breakfast. That is a bit unhappy, he is a favorite with so many,’ one consumer on X – previously often called Twitter – shared.
‘Tony Armstrong leaving ABC Information Breakfast [crying face emojis],’ one other penned.
A 3rd added: ‘Love Tony. Met him briefly in Fitzroy as soon as. Really beautiful particular person. What you see is what you get. Will certainly miss him!’
In one other huge shake-up, Tony’s exit additionally got here weeks after he was nominated for the celebrated Gold Logie final month together with a complete string of Aussie TV skills.
Whereas he was up in opposition to the likes of Julia Morris, Asher Keddie, Andy Lee, Sonia Kruger and Robert Irwin, he in the end misplaced out on the win to TV veteran Larry Emdur.
He was additionally within the working for hottest presenter however the Bert Newton Award was as soon as once more additionally taken house by The Morning Present’s Larry in a landslide win.
It’s not the primary time he has been recognised on the Logies as he took house the gong for hottest presenter in 2022 and won best new talent the year before.