Henry keeps quiet on court visit

Bella, left, and Paul Henry. Photo / Herald on Sunday

For TV's most outspoken host, Paul Henry was unusually quiet as he left the Auckland District Court this week.

"It was a small matter," he told the Herald on Sunday, but refused to say more.

TVNZ was also unwilling to elaborate. A spokeswoman said Henry was not present for any criminal matters and "it had nothing to do with him". He was not listed on any criminal court documents.

Henry was accompanied by his daughter Bella and one of her friends for the 90-minute visit to the court building.

The visit came a week after Henry accepted the People's Choice Award at the Qantas Film and Television awards with an expletive-laden speech. The footage of the speech has since gone viral, becoming one of the fastest-hit clips on TVNZ's YouTube page.

The Breakfast host made the speech after being named most popular TV personality.

His swearing came in the form of a letter from a "fan" who called him "the most insulting man on television". The letter also said: "You f****** poofter, mongrel prick, die you c***."

The YouTube clip of his speech went from zero to 192,000 hits in three days - the fastest clip in TVNZ's history.

"It just shows that there's still a place for entertaining, good quality public service broadcasting," said Henry.

The number one hit clip - Henry having a giggling fit alongside former co-host Kay Gregory - has clocked up more than half a million hits.

- Staff reporters