Former Footy Show host Paul Vautin admits he is still hurting following his shock axing from the once popular television panel show. Photo / Getty Images.
Former Footy Show host Paul Vautin admits he is still hurting following his shock axing from the once popular television panel show. Photo / Getty Images.
Paul Vautin has revealed he is still hurt by the sudden decision to axe him from his own show during The NRL Footy Show's death spiral.
The popular Channel 9 veteran has said he is still not yet ready to reveal the circumstances surrounding his sacking from the Thursday nightpanel show, which he helped turn into an Australian TV icon.
In an exclusive interview with The Courier Mail, Vautin says it has "hurt" him to see his show ultimately killed off just one season after he was dumped as host.
"Yes, it actually hurt a lot," Vautin said of the moment.
"I loved every single show. We got into a 24th year and I loved the two hours of off the cuff live television sitting among friends."
He said people would be "really surprised" to learn how his sacking was handled by Nine — a topic he has never discussed publicly.
Paul Vautin speaks with Darryl Brohman and Ray Warren during the taping of the Grand Final Footy Show. Photo / Getty
Still employed by Nine as a rugby league commentator, Vautin said he will eventually tell his side of the story.
While the Queensland State of Origin icon has never discussed his axing, The Daily Telegraph reported last year Vautin would have refused any last-gasp approaches from Nine to help save the show after a fan backlash toward his demotion and the promotion of network star Erin Molan.
The report claimed Vautin was told of his axing while on a family holiday in the United States.
It was also reported Nine's CEO Hugh Marks and sports boss Tom Malone avoided Vautin at the time and had an executive producer deliver the bad news.
"I haven't spoken about it and I won't yet but you would be really surprised how it happened," Vautin said this week.
"One day I will talk about it. The demise of the show hurt as well but you know what – that's life, especially in the media game which can be quite fickle. But I am really enjoying commentating now and connecting with grassroots and club people I haven't seen for years."
He said it's a miracle that he has been able to carve out a 26-year career in television.
"I was very fortunate, especially since I had everything against me," he said.
"I played for Manly who everyone hated, and Queensland who they also hated down there as well and I had red hair. I mean — hello."
The Sunday Telegraph revealed this week Molan will become the face of the network's live rugby league coverage, following the axing of The Footy Show.
Nine has also recruited Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston to join the live broadcast commentary team.
