A sports presenter who broke his wife’s back and put her in a wheelchair by pushing her down the stairs will appear on a new Sky TV show.
Sky Sports announced on Tuesday the launch of New Zealand Press Box, a monthly entertainment show hosted by Bernadine Oliver-Kerby, to debut on Wednesday 29 November.
Convicted domestic abuser Tony Veitch, who has been named as a guest on the trial episode, assaulted his former partner in January of 2006 with such force she was confined to a wheelchair for the weeks following the attack.
Sports presenter Tony Veitch (pictured) will appear as a guest on a new Sky network show New Zealand Press Box
‘Hard hitting’: Veitch shared news of his latest opportunity in an update (pictured) to his social channels
The episode pilot will air Wednesday 29 November amid criticism from local content viewers
The incident came under the media spotlight in 2008 and, following publication, Veitch was charged with six counts of assaulting Kristin Dunne-Powell and one count of injuring her with reckless disregard, between 2002 and 2006.
Following a conviction in 2009, in which he pleaded guilty to the most serious charge while the others were dismissed, he was sentenced to nine months of supervision, 300 hours community service and a $10,000 fine for his actions.
He revived his role as the host of breakfast show Radio Sport host in 2011 and has had moments of public controversy since, including when he penned an apology 10 years after the horrific assault.
New Zealand network satellite television provider Sky, which costs approximately $50 a month to subscribe to, will include a line-up of commentators on their new show for its pilot episode, including Veitch.
Convicted domestic abuser Tony Veitch (left) assaulted his former partner Kristin Dunne-Powell (right) in 2006
After promising ‘a hard-hitting, opinion-led show that does not shy away from controversy’ social media was riddled with negative reactions
Some television viewers were disappointed to hear Veitch had been offered another role on screens
Veitch shared news of his latest opportunity in an update to his social channels, promising ‘a hard-hitting, opinion-led show that does not shy away from controversy’ before rehashing details found in Sky’s press release.
‘It’s either going to be controlled chaos, or just plain chaos’, says host Oliver-Kerby.
Which ever way it goes, there is no calm before the shows impending storm as outraged public have already vented throughout social media.
Angry viewers have slammed the decision to offer Veitch a return to television through the new program.
‘Can I infer from this that you feel the horrific domestic abuse he committed is now okay to be glossed over, and you support him and his endeavours?’ wrote one concerned woman.
‘I can only assume that whoever ok’ed #TonyVeitch describing ANYthing as “hard hitting” & meaning it in a positive way is the same person who decided giving him a TV platform was a good idea,’ said a social media user.
Veitch plead guilty to the most serious charge while the six others were dismissed after being forced to resign from his media roles
‘I can only assume that whoever ok’ed #TonyVeitch describing ANYthing as “hard hitting”‘ said one concerned Facebook user
Angry viewers of local content have slammed the decision to offer Veitch a return to television through the new program
A spokesperson from Sky TV defended the decision to bring Veitch on as a guest
‘WTF are you actually thinking putting Tony Veitch back on the air? Serious violent assault and zero remorse ever shown. Is this what your company’s values are?’ questioned another.
In a statement provided to Daily Mail Australia from Sky the key points of the show were redefined with a justification for their choice in panel guests, which includes Veitch, explained as a ‘asking for the varying, and likely strong opinions from sporting broadcasters, journalists and personalities’.
‘For our first show we were pleased to secure sporting legend Valarie Adams, and broadcasters Martin Devlin and Tony Veitch to join Bernadine,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Tony was invited as his weekend sport radio show ‘Veitch on Sport’ boasts one of the most significant sporting audiences in New Zealand with a loyal on air and online following.’
NZME and Radio Sport had not responded to efforts to seek comment from Tony Veitch by deadline.