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- AFL commentator inadvertently declares colleague’s secret profession transfer
- Race now on to fill coveted spot on one in all Seven’s key applications
In the long run, it took only a matter of seconds and one slip-up to substantiate the worst-kept secret in tv: revered Melbourne sports activities presenter Tim Watson will probably be calling time on his long-running profession on the finish of the 12 months.
The Seven Information stalwart’s buddy and community colleague Luke Darcy by accident introduced Watson’s extensively speculated departure on his Triple M radio present on Friday – earlier than realising Seven was nonetheless retaining the transfer strictly beneath wraps.
‘I’m going to drop one other little bomb right here and that’s… Tim “Whispy” Watson is about to complete up on the Seven Community,’ the AFL star-turned-radio host instructed his listeners.
Darcy then went on to cheerily proclaim the soon-to-be-departing presenter had been a ‘favorite’ of Seven’s billionaire proprietor Kerry Stokes.
‘So there’s a little bomb for you. That is Kerry Stokes’ favorite ever media individual, Tim Watson,’ he stated.
Moments later, he started to furiously backpedal after his co-hosts queried whether or not Watson was conscious his impending exit was going to be made public on their present.
‘Which will have been an off-air dialog’ Darcy confessed.
‘Let’s overlook that half… let’s overlook that… we’re going to transfer on from that half.’
Luke Darcy was pressured to shortly backpedal after his unanticipated announcement
Rebecca Maddern is known to be in discussions to interchange Tim Watson as sports activities reader
Watson has been within the sporting scorching seat on Seven’s flagship 6pm Melbourne information bulletin for 13 years – and has usually labored alongside Darcy, who additionally calls the AFL for the community.
His extremely anticipated departure had been frequently debated this 12 months because the Seven Community continues to maintain any official affirmation confidential whereas it scrambles to reorganise its news-reporting ranks to compensate for his looming loss.
Watson landed his first commentary position with Seven after retiring from Essendon – for the primary time – in 1992.
Rebecca Maddern is known to be in talks to take over from the newsreading veteran from the beginning of subsequent 12 months.
Her spot as weekend information presenter would then fall to Karina Carvalho, who just lately defected from the ABC to affix Seven’s Melbourne operation.
Newly minted Seven star Karina Carvalho is then more likely to substitute Maddern on the weekends
Watson has served as Seven’s weeknight sports activities reader for the previous 13 years in Melbourne
Nonetheless, Darcy had a couple of ideas on how the community may spice issues up and advised co-host and fellow AFL alum Nathan Brown is perhaps involved in submitting a sizzle reel.
‘Now that spot is accessible, would you ship your showreel in?’ he mused.
‘I haven’t got a showreel and no, I would not,’ Brown responded.
And with it, Darcy took his cue that it was time to maneuver on, after providing a fast apology to Watson for his unanticipated announcement.
‘I get wave off in every single place right here,’ he stated.
‘Sorry Whispy, probably the most liked folks at Channel Seven.’