Tony Armstrong's Surprising Departure from ABC News Breakfast

In a twist of television fate, Tony Armstrong, the Logie-winning darling of the ABC breakfast scene, has decided that maybe waking up at the crack of dawn isn't quite his style after all. On a particularly audacious Tuesday morning, while the world sipped its coffee and scrambled to find the remote, Armstrong dropped the bombshell like it was just another mundane Tuesday announcement. “I’ve been pretty nervous about doing this,” he confessed, and honestly, who wouldn’t be? Standing there, he could pretty much feel every eye in the studio scrutinizing his body language—because apparently, that’s the new contestant on reality TV: “Guess How Nervous Tony Is.”

“Um, I’ve retired from *News Brekkie* and my last day will be the 4th of October,” he stated. As if he were handing out invitations to a farewell party, but let’s face it, retirement from a morning show feels more like being unceremoniously kicked off a rollercoaster ride you didn’t even realize you’d signed up for. A former AFL player, Armstrong joined the ranks of the *News Breakfast* team as a fill-in sports presenter in 2020, which is just the sort of “let’s wing it” approach that makes a breakfast show feel cozy and slightly chaotic. His role, much like his coffee order, quickly transitioned to full-time, proving that some stars are just meant to shine—and not just from early morning sunshine.

With a string of accolades trailing behind him like confetti from an overzealous party, Armstrong bagged the Graham Kennedy Award for most popular new talent at the 2022 Logie Awards, and who could forget the Bert Newton Award in 2023? He was even shortlisted for the Gold Logie this year. Yes, you read that right. His trophy cabinet must look like a mini-museum dedicated to charming Australians. But beyond the accolades, the pride of being a Gamilaroi man and the torchbearer for representation shines even brighter.

On air, he tenderly thanked his *News Breakfast* team and all those who felt like family by now. “I’m not very good at doing this stuff. But I just want to thank absolutely everyone,” he said, and with those words, he embodied that perfect mix of vulnerability and humor we all appreciate in our TV hosts. “It’s been a whirlwind sort of three-and-a-touch years. A lot has happened—feels like I’ve been on a bit of a rocket ship.” And isn't that the truth? Who knew morning television had such a tight grip on the space-time continuum?

And then came the confession: “I’m going to miss the couch—not the alarm, but I’ll miss the couch!” Because really, who among us hasn’t formed an unhealthy attachment to our favorite pieces of furniture? Armstrong encapsulated that bittersweet feeling when he said, “I’ve had such a ball”—and let’s be honest, when was the last time you used “ball” and “early morning” in the same sentence without irony?

His colleagues praised him with a blend of affection and camaraderie. “In fact, there's no one I would rather sit through an earthquake with. We did—Google it,” enthused co-host Michael Rowland, making us wonder just how many true-life cinematic moments happen from the safety of a breakfast set. Meanwhile, Bridget Brennan highlighted how Armstrong’s presence meant so much to First Nations viewers, proving, of course, that mornings on TV aren't just about caffeine; they’re also about comfort and identity.

ABC's director of news, Justin Stevens, dubbed Armstrong a “once-in-a-generation talent,” leaving us all believing that one day, we might actually say, “Remember when we used to watch Tony on that breakfast show?” Fear not, devoted fans; behind this surprising exit lies the promise of more Tony in a new, undisclosed venture that will grace our screens in 2025. So, while he bids adieu to couch life, rest assured, the charm of Tony Armstrong is far from packing its bags for good.