Tony Armstrong to farewell ABC News Breakfast in October

Tony Armstrong has announced he is leaving the ABC. Photo: James Gourley/Getty Images for TV WEEK

by Tavleen Singh

After three years on the couch, popular ABC presenter and Gold Logie nominee Tony Armstrong announced he will leave ABC News Breakfast in October.

Tony will continue to work with ABC network, hosting a new show screening in 2025 that will be announced later this year.

"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," Armstrong said.

Armstrong's final day on the News Breakfast couch will be on Friday, October 4.

"I've been pretty nervous about doing this," he said.

"I'm not very good at doing this stuff. But 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." 

A proud Gamilaroi man, Armstrong has hosted several ABC series in recent years including A Dog's World and Tony Armstrong's Extraordinary Things.

A former AFL player, 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.

"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," he shared.

"I am so sorry three years of talking sport and swapping gags with Tony is about to end," colleague and ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland said.

"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," he added.

ABC News Breakfast host Bridget Brennan echoed the same thoughts about the sports presenter.

"Tony is a wonderful friend and everyone at News Breakfast is going to miss his infectious and caring nature," she said.

"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," Brennan said, adding it has been a blessing to see Tony bringing joy on the screens every morning.

The news comes after Bridget Brennan was announced as the new co-host in August for the flagship morning news show, after Lisa Millar departed News Breakfast to focus on other ABC programs.

In his time with the program, Tony Armstrong quickly rose to fame, making a name for himself as a fresh and versatile television personality.

Tony Armstrong has been the sports presenter on ABC News Breakfast for more than three years. 

(Photo: Tony Armstrong / Instagram)

"A lot's happened. Feels like I've been on a bit of a rocket ship.

"It's been a whirlwind sort of three-and-a-touch years," Armstrong reflected.

With his infectious charm and warm nature on full display on the national program every morning, the Logie awards started rolling in.

Armstrong won 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 Armstrong is a once-in-a-generation talent and it has been fantastic watching him soar in his role at News Breakfast," ABC director of news Justin Stevens said.

"I can't wait to see what he does into the future and see his career continue to go from strength to strength," Stevens added.

"I am going to miss the couch — not the alarm, but I'll miss the couch," Armstrong said.

"You will still see me around."

First published at ABC News Breakfast, September 24, 2024