Wally Lewis will step back from his Channel Nine sports presenter role “effective immediately” with the rugby league Immortal’s health condition behind his decision.
According to a TV Blackbox report, the 63-year-old “will not return to the studio in 2023, but will remain with the network.
‘The King’ has had a successful career in the media for the past 23 years, after retiring as one of Australia’s most loved sporting figures. But has now decided to stand down thanks to his health, and will pursue other options within the 9 News family.
“My health has made decisions for me in the past so it’s my turn to make decisions for my health,” Lewis said.
“While I’ll take more of a back seat role in the studio, 9 News viewers can still expect me to keep them up-to-date on the highs and lows of local and international sport, and of course share my weekly NRL tips.
“Beyond 9 News, I’ll continue to call WWOS home, and there are some special Nine programs in the pipeline that I’m also ready to tackle alongside my ongoing involvement with the QRL and FOGS (Former Origin Greats).
“It’s safe to say that no two weeks in my calendar will look the same this year, which is what I’m looking forward to most.”
Nine Queensland director of News Amanda Paterson confirmed Lewis would remain at the station.
“The King is well and truly here to stay. He continues to live up to being a legend on and off the field, and whether he is on the newsdesk or not, viewers will still get to welcome the Wally they know and love into their living rooms,” Paterson said.
Wally Lewis (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
“Wally is such an integral member of our newsroom and we are privileged to have him on our team. His health is and has always been our priority, so we are proud of him for making the call to put himself first.”
Lewis has suffered from epilepsy throughout his life and underwent brain surgery following a seizure while reading the news in 2006.
While there is a focus now on former players with health issues surrounding the brain, Lewis admitted to News.com.au that he had no regrets about his sporting career.
“We have this little tag in rugby league where they call rugby league ‘the greatest game of all’, and it was an absolute thrill and absolute privilege to play that game,” said Lewis.
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“But for a lot of guys, they wish that they could have done so without suffering severe head knocks.
“But it’s part of the game and there may be some guys that are a little bit angry with the outcome of their career. But to be honest, ask us if we change anything in the game and they’d all say we won’t change a thing.”
Lewis made 34 appearances for Queensland and represented Australia 35 times. He was awarded the Golden Boot Award in 1984 and became a Rugby League Immortal in 1999. The State of Origin Player of the Series award is also named in his honour.
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