Mortifying moment Seven star accidentally repeats details of private conversation live on air as one of TV’s worst-kept secrets is confirmed

In the end, it took just a matter of seconds and one slip-up to confirm the worst-kept secret in television: revered Melbourne sports presenter Tim Watson will be calling time on his long-running career at the end of the year. 

The Seven News stalwart’s friend and network colleague Luke Darcy accidentally announced Watson’s widely speculated departure on his Triple M radio show on Friday – before realising Seven was still keeping the move strictly under wraps. 

‘I am going to drop another little bomb here and that is… Tim “Whispy” Watson is about to finish up at the Seven Network,’ the AFL star-turned-radio host told his listeners. 

Darcy then went on to cheerily proclaim the soon-to-be-departing presenter had been a ‘favourite’ of Seven’s billionaire owner Kerry Stokes.

‘So there is a little bomb for you. This is Kerry Stokes’ favourite ever media person, Tim Watson,’ he said. 

Moments later, he began to furiously backpedal after his co-hosts queried whether Watson was aware his impending exit was going to be made public on their show.

‘That may have been an off-air conversation’ Darcy confessed.

‘Let’s forget that part… let’s forget that… we are going to move on from that part.’

Rebecca Maddern is understood to be in discussions to replace Tim Watson as sports reader

Watson has been in the sporting hot seat on Seven’s flagship 6pm Melbourne news bulletin for 13 years – and has often worked alongside Darcy, who also calls the AFL for the network. 

His highly expected departure had been continually debated this year as the Seven Network continues to keep any official confirmation confidential while it scrambles to reorganise its news-reporting ranks to compensate for his looming loss. 

Watson landed his first commentary role with Seven after retiring from Essendon – for the first time – in 1992.

Rebecca Maddern is understood to be in talks to take over from the newsreading veteran from the start of next year. 

Her spot as weekend news presenter would then fall to Karina Carvalho, who recently defected from the ABC to join Seven’s Melbourne operation.

Newly minted Seven star Karina Carvalho (right, with her former husband, IT executive Terry Sweeney) is then likely to replace Maddern on the weekends

Watson has served as Seven’s weeknight sports reader for the past 13 years in Melbourne

However, Darcy had a few thoughts on how the network could spice things up and suggested co-host and fellow AFL alum Nathan Brown might be interested in submitting a sizzle reel. 

‘Now that spot is available, would you send your showreel in?’ he mused.

‘I don’t have a showreel and no, I wouldn’t,’ Brown responded. 

And with it, Darcy took his cue that it was time to move on, after offering a quick apology to Watson for his unanticipated announcement.  

‘I am getting wave off everywhere here,’ he said.

‘Sorry Whispy, one of the most loved people at Channel Seven.’