It seems as if Lisa Wilkinson’s departure from the Today show last week has created a domino effect.
Now comedian Dave Hughes has defected from Channel Nine to Channel Ten, in a move that will see him host a new comedy-based panel program ‘Hughesy, We Have A Problem.’
The 46-year-old revealed on Saturday that he will be leaving his post on The AFL Footy Show, telling The Herald Sun that he can’t remain a full-time member of the show due to his new commitment.
‘I really will miss them’: Dave Hughes will defect from Channel Nine to Ten to host new panel show ‘Hughesy, We Have A Problem’
‘I am out of contract with Channel Nine and this Channel Ten deal is going to mean I can’t be a regular on a rival network during the term of the deal,’ he told the publication.
‘The Footy Show production team and all the guys on air, including Eddie (McGuire), Sam (Newman) and Bec (Maddern) are fantastic to work with. They are a great bunch and Sam in particular was very generous to work with. I really will miss them.’
The Melbourne-based funnyman has been a regular panel member on the show since 2015.
However, Dave has not ruled out making any sporadic cameo appearances on the show if prompted.
End of an era: Dave will leave his post on The AFL Footy Show, of which he has been a regular panel member since 2015
A new chapter: His new show, Hughesy, We Have A Problem, will address the everyday concerns of regular Australians in a satirical format
Hughesy, We Have A Problem will address the everyday concerns of regular Australians in a satirical format, and Dave claims he is looking forward to getting them sorted out.
‘It is going to be a group of people sitting around trying to work out the problems of the people of Australia, whether it be people in our audience, people who have emailed in, celebrity problems, the problems of our panel members,’ he said.
Speaking to Confidential on Saturday regarding the show, Dave elaborated on the type of content the show will feature.
A brighter future: Dave claims he is looking forward to his new position as the star of the show, which will aim to ‘work out the problems of the people of Australia’
‘It could be anything from ”My wife wants to catch up with her ex, is that OK?” to ”My friend’s kid is too rough with my kid” or ”I’m on Tinder and I’m not getting swiped.”
The news comes after former Today show co-host Lisa Wilkinson departed Nine after a heavily publicised pay dispute, during which she asked for pay parity with co-host Karl Stefanovic.
The 57-year-old was not happy with her new deal from the network, which would have seen her earn $1.8 million a year.
It has since been revealed that Karl was set to pocket $2.3 million under his new contract tabled by the network.
The fall out continues: The news comes after former Today show co-host Lisa Wilkinson departed Nine after a heavily publicised pay dispute, during which she asked for pay parity with co-host Karl Stefanovic