The popular presenter made the announcement this morning.
Tony Armstrong has announced he is leaving ABC News Breakfast. Armstrong made the announcement alongside host Michael Rowland and the team.
After joining the ABC in 2020, Armstrong took over sport presenting duties on the breakfast show in 2021, replacing Paul Kennedy.
In a short speech, Amstrong said on the show:
“I’ve been pretty nervous about doing this,”
Armstrong then announced he had “retired from News Breakfast” and will finish up on Friday 4 October 2024. He thanked everyone for their help and support, going on to say:
“Feels like I’ve been on a bit of a rocket ship.”
Armstrong is a multiple TV WEEK Logie winner, winning the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent and the Bert Newton Award for Most Popular Presenter.
The ABC issued a press release moments later:
Popular ABC presenter and Gold Logie nominee Tony Armstrong this morning told viewers he’s leaving ABC News Breakfast.
Armstrong, who has hosted a number of ABC series in recent years including Tony Armstrong’s Extraordinary Things, will host a new ABC show screening in 2025 that will be announced later this year.
A proud Gamilaroi man, Armstrong first charmed Australian audiences on News Breakfast as a fill-in sports presenter in 2020, before taking up the role full-time the following year. He quickly made a name for himself as a fresh and versatile television personality, winning the Graham Kennedy Award for most popular new talent at the 2022 Logie Awards. His meteoric rise continued when he won the 2023 Bert Newton Award for Most Popular Presenter and was shortlisted for the Gold Logie earlier this year.
Tony’s final day on the News Breakfast couch will be Friday 4 October.
Tony Armstrong: “I just want to thank Brekky and the broader ABC News team for welcoming me in with open arms and helping me grow over the past few years. I love live TV and those moments that are unplanned and unpredictable where anything can happen. I’ve been so lucky to be surrounded by an incredible team and it’s those friendships that I’m going to cherish the most.”
ABC Director, News Justin Stevens: “Tony Armstrong is a once in a generation talent and it has been fantastic watching him soar in his role at News Breakfast. I can’t wait to see what he does into the future and see his career continue to go from strength to strength.”
ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland: “I am so sorry three years of talking sport and swapping gags with Tony is about to end. He is an engaging colleague and a good friend. In fact, there’s no one I would rather sit through an earthquake with. (We did. Google it.). All the best with what comes next, mate.”
ABC News Breakfast host Bridget Brennan: “How blessed we’ve been to have Tone on our screens every morning, bringing the sparkle, joy and heart that only Tony can! Tony is a wonderful friend and everyone at News Breakfast is going to miss his infectious and caring nature. I know it’s meant so much to me and to thousands upon thousands of First Nations viewers waking up to see Tony representing us on the daily. Can’t wait to see what you do next, Tone! Maybe sleep?!”
About Tony Armstrong
Tony grew up in rural NSW, and is a former AFL player for Adelaide, Sydney and Collingwood, where he played 35 matches from 2010-2015.
At the conclusion of his playing days, he became an AFL commentator and also appeared on the Marngrook Footy Show. He later became the co-host of the Indigenous comedy football chat show ‘Yokayi Footy’, in a collaboration between NITV and the AFL.
In 2020 Tony joined the ABC as a sports producer and presenter, and commentator for ABC Grandstand. He hosted the summer series of Offsiders and co-hosted ABC Radio in Melbourne with Sammy J. In 2021 he became ABC News Breakfast’s full-time sports presenter, replacing Paul Kennedy.
In 2022, he hosted ABC series A Dog’s World and Tony Armstrong’s Extraordinary Things. His other television credits include regular appearances on The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, The Yearly, The Project and Fox Footy. He has been a guest on numerous Play School specials and is the voice of Mr Flip on ABC Kids Reef School.
