Why is fatty leaving the footy show

Vautin was the face of the popular sports talk show for the better part of 24 years before he was unceremoniously dismissed in after ratings dwindled. The year-old was on holidays in the US with his wife when he was told the show would be going in a different direction, saying at the time that he'd had 'a great run'. Now, he has admitted 'it actually hurt a lot' when he was booted from the show. Paul 'Fatty' Vautin has shared how he was 'hurt' after being displaced from the Footy Show for co-host Erin Molan pictured together.

Co-host Erin Molan replaced him as the main host in an effort to revamp ratings. But the program was eventually axed entirely last October, bringing 25 years of broadcasting to an end. Vautin spent 24 of those years as the frontman of the show, and he says he 'loved every single show'. Vautin remained tight-lipped about the nature of his sacking, but said viewers 'would be really surprised how it happened'.

Vautin spent 24 years working on the program and says he 'loved every single show'. The hosts drew criticism for its reliance on jokes which many perceived as juvenile. After it came to an end, Vautin found a job commentating on the live broadcast of rugby league matches.

He says he spends his days off connecting with grassroots players and promoting the game at a junior level. Despite the rough ending to his time on the show, Vautin acknowledges he was 'very fortunate'. Vautin was the face of the weekly NRL talk show for 24 years before he was dismissed. Reports emerged Monday that the Nine Network were calling it quits on their long-running rugby league show, with Molan set to receive her own one-hour program.

Reports emerged Monday that the Nine Network had called it quits on their long-running rugby league show, with Ms Molan second from left set to receive her own one-hour program.

The popular sports show had won a record 11 Logie Awards for Best Sports Program, but had been suffering dwindling ratings after an average of just 80, people switched on this year.

Two years ago he said: "I just turn up at 8. So I think the writing is on the wall for me. Nine executives stress that Vautin will remain on the network in a commentary role for at least next year. And you know what, I have been proven right. Give me some credit for predicting the future. Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco has copped a massive fine over an incident that allegedly took place in Sydney last month.