9News is set for big on-air changes as ‘The King’ steps down from his presenting duties.
Health issues have forced ‘King’ Wally Lewis to leave his sports presenting role at 9 News Queensland, effective immediately.
TV Blackbox can reveal the NRL legend will not return to the studio in 2023, but will remain with the network.
Lewis joined Nine in 1999 after a short stint at rival Seven. During his time as sports presenter he has faced a number of medical episodes due to his ongoing battle with epilepsy.
In 2006 newsreader Bruce Paige had to present the sports segment at the last moment due to Lewis being unable to do so.
A similar event happened two weeks later when Lewis was reading the introduction to a story. After saying ‘Good evening’ he seemingly became distressed and the control room cut to the story he was supposed to be introducing.
In 2007 Lewis underwent brain surgery to help his epilepsy and returned to sports reading duties full-time in 2009.
It is understood his health has led to the sudden change with Lewis saying:
“My health has made decisions for me in the past so it’s my turn to make decisions for my health.
While I’ll take more of a backseat role in the studio, 9News viewers can still expect me to keep them up-to-date on the highs and lows of local and international sport, and of course share my weekly NRL tips.
Sources tell TV Blackbox negotiations have been ongoing with the sporting star over recent weeks to keep him in the Nine ‘family’.
While stepping down from his nightly duties will ease the pressure on Lewis, he says he isn’t ready to retire just yet:
“Beyond 9News, I’ll continue to call WWOS home, and there are some special Nine programs in the pipeline that I’m also ready to tackle alongside my ongoing involvement with the QRL and FOGS (Former Origin Greats).
It’s safe to say that no two weeks in my calendar will look the same this year, which is what I’m looking forward to most.”
Nine Queensland Director of News, Amanda Paterson, emphasised Lewis will still play an important part of the newsroom, saying:
“The King is well and truly here to stay. He continues to live up to being a legend on and off the field, and whether he is on the news desk or not, viewers will still get to welcome the Wally they know and love into their living rooms.
“Wally is such an integral member of our newsroom and we are privileged to have him on our team. His health is and has always been our priority, so we are proud of him for making the call to put himself first.”
The new Sports Presenter joining the 9News Queensland desk will be announced in the coming weeks.
Temporal Association ? Causal Link ?
And just when they’ve lifted the….
Long live the King