Tony Armstrong is rumoured to be replacing a veteran Channel Seven newsreader after quitting ABC News Breakfast.
The TV star, 35, recently stepped down from his sport reporting role on the program after three years, marking his last day on air on Friday.
He has teased he has another exciting project coming up with ABC, but there are now reports he is lining up work with another channel.
Speculation is swirling that Tony will replace top Seven newsreader Tim Watson presenting sport on 7News Melbourne, according to TV Blackbox.
Sports presenter Tim, 63, is reportedly ‘ready to call it a day’ on the network after 13 years and hand over his weeknight sports bulletin during Melbourne’s 6pm news.
Rebecca Maddern had been viewed as the frontrunner for the role, but rumours are now circulating that Tony is also in the running to take over the top job.
Luke Darcy accidentally announced his friend Tim’s widely speculated departure on his Triple M radio show last month, 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.
Tony Armstrong, left, has been hit by rumours he will replace a veteran Channel Seven newsreader Tim Watson, right, after he quit ABC Breakfast News
Moments later, he began to furiously backpedal after his co-hosts queried whether Tim was aware his impending exit was going to be made public on their show.
‘That may have been an off-air conversation,’ Luke then confessed. ‘Let’s forget that part… let’s forget that… we are going to move on from that part.’
Tony’s contract with ABC is believed to be expiring in a matter of weeks, though he is said to be hopeful of securing a primetime hosting gig with the network next year.
When he announced his exit from ABC News Breakfast last month, Tony confirmed he will be working on a new project with the ABC next year but remained coy on the details of the mystery job.
‘I’ve got something coming out early next year, not allowed to say what it is yet, it’s top secret,’ the former Sydney Swans star teased.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven and Tony’s representatives for comment.
The TV star, 35, recently stepped down from his sport reporting role on ABC Breakfast News after three years, marking his last day on air last Friday
Tony’s last day at ABC News Breakfast was somewhat marred when he was called out by the network for doing voiceovers for insurance company NRMA while working on the program.
Janine Perrett exposed Tony’s gig on Media Watch, revealing that he had been working as the voice of NRMA Insurance ads since July.
Media Watch’s stand-in host said it was ‘astonishing’ that Tony had failed to get approval from the broadcaster before landing the new gig.
The ABC’s Editorial Policy states that any external work by a high-profile presenter isn’t banned, but is considered ‘very high risk’.
The ABC told Media Watch his voiceover work was done without its knowledge and was due to a ‘misunderstanding with Tony’s external representation’.
‘They have been provided a copy of the external work guidelines and reminded all ABC employees are required to meet them. Tony is a high valued employee and has the ABC’s full support,’ the broadcaster said.
Addressing the controversy, the sports star then admitted it had been a ‘funny old week’ during his final ABC Breakfast News show on Friday.
Tony’s last day at ABC News Breakfast was somewhat marred as he was called out for doing voiceovers for insurance company NRMA while working on the program by Media Watch
‘Mixed feelings. You can tell by my body language, I don’t like talking about myself too much, despite being in a career where I’m in front of a camera,’ he told viewers.
‘It’s been such a whirlwind three years. Believe it or not, I was nervous when I started.
‘It didn’t last long. But yeah, that wasn’t all that long ago. And yeah, News Breakfast has given me everything, really. It’s given me… It’s given me a joy ride!
‘I wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in today to be able to walk out on my own terms, and into whatever is next.
‘I don’t really know exactly what it is yet… I’m just very thankful to everyone who watches and everyone who said such nice things to me across the course of this week particularly.
‘It’s been a funny old week. But yeah, people have been really, really nice to me.’
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