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Tony Armstrong has announced he’s leaving the ABC after three years as the co-host of News Breakfast. Armstrong announced his retirement on air on Tuesday, September 24. “I’ve been pretty nervous about doing this,” he said on News Breakfast. “I’ve retired from News Brekkie and my last day will be October 4. I just want to thank absolutely everyone – all of you guys, my colleagues, everyone behind the camera, all the producers, all the people who watch as well, and come up in the street and say ‘g’day’ and all that kind of stuff.”
The 34-year-old TV personality conceded it had been a “whirlwind” few years. “Feels like I’ve been on a bit of a rocket ship,” he added. Indeed it has, with the former AFL star quickly becoming a fan favourite of morning television since his first programme in 2021. In his first year on air, he won the Logie Award for Best New Talent, followed by the Logie for Most Popular Presenter the year after. With only a few years of hosting the morning news show, Armstrong even competed with veterans of the medium for this year’s Gold Logie (which was won by Larry Emdur).
So, what’s next for the sports star-turned-media sensation? There’s already one new venture in the works, with Armstrong penning a children’s book. While Armstrong hasn’t shared exactly what’s next, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to provide some suggestions (and some congratulations).
Tony Armstrong Is Releasing a Children’s Book
Yep. Tony Armstrong is nothing if not an overachiever, and his next venture? Children’s literature. Armstrong is dropping his first children’s book, George The Wizard, on September 25. The story follows a wizard who lives atop a magical mountain but is missing friends. His mission is to find the courage to show others who he really is, and the good things that can come from being yourself. According to the blurb, it is “An uplifting story about friendship and letting others see your true colours.” In a word: Aawwww!
Tony Armstrong Is Getting His Own TV Show
If you thought you were about to see Tony Armstrong take up a regular seat on The Project, think again. Tony’s next move will reportedly stay within the ABC. Mediaweek reports the soon-to-be former News Breakfast host will be hosting a new show, to be announced later this year. While we don’t know what the show will be yet, it’s slated to start airing in 2025.
Having won the ‘Graham Kennedy and ‘Bert Newton’ Logie awards, it was only natural for Tony to get his own show. Will it be a new light entertainment program in this grand tradition of night-time talk show hosts? We hope so.
What’s Next For Tony & Rona
With Tony leaving his day job, perhaps he’ll hit the road with his musician / activist girlfriend Rona Glynn-McDonald, who has been DJing at gigs around Melbourne. Speaking to the Tele, Armstrong added that he’s only recently become comfortable with taking a break from work.
“I’m trying to recuperate, get healthy – just get my energy and balance back, I guess, which is taking a bit longer than I thought it would,” he said. “Only now do I feel comfortable enough to have a break, you know? Even six months ago I was stressed about having established myself. When you’re starting out in something you’re so keen to establish yourself – and I’ve only just started to feel like I belong in the industry – so saying no is really hard,” he continues. “But I’ve got a great team around me. I go to them for advice daily.”
Whatever his next endeavours, we can’t wait.
The post Tony Armstrong Has Quit His Job—But We Already Know His Next Move appeared first on ELLE.