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Wally Lewis' sad revelation after stepping down from Channel 9 role

The rugby league legend is moving away from his TV duties in 2023.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
Wally Lewis, pictured here in his role with Channel 9.
Wally Lewis is stepping away from his role with Channel 9 News. Image: Getty

NRL fans have been left saddened after Wally Lewis announced he's stepping down from his role as Nine News sports presenter due to health reasons. The rugby league legend has been working with Channel 9 for 24 years, but has decided to step away from the sports desk this year.

According to TV Blackbox, Lewis will step away from his role on Nine News 'effective immediately'. The 63-year-old "will not return to the studio in 2023, but will remain with the network”.

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The Queensland legend said his health "made decisions for me in the past so it’s my turn to make decisions for my health." He added: "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.”

It remains unclear whether Lewis will still be commentating games for Channel 9 in 2023. He has been a constant during State of Origin broadcasts for the last few years.

Wally Lewis, pictured here before game one of the 2021 State of Origin series.
Wally Lewis is seen before game one of the 2021 State of Origin series. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“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),” he said. “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.”

Amanda Paterson, the Director of News at Nine in Queensland, paid tribute to Lewis. She said in a statement: “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 news desk or not, viewers will still get to welcome the Wally they know and love into their living rooms.

“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.”

NRL fans react to news about Wally Lewis

In 2020, Lewis opened up about a devastating epilepsy diagnosis that saw him collapse while on air with Nine News. After keeping the condition a secret for 20 years, he was forced to undergo brain surgery in 2007.

“I had suicidal thoughts and found myself crying uncontrollably, for no reason,” he wrote in ‘My Life’. “Another time I walked down to the pontoon on the canal at the back of the house and considered jumping in. The thought was actually there that day."

Lewis played 301 first grade games in an illustrious career with the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast. He also played 38 State of Origin games for Queensland and 34 Test matches for Australia.

The 63-year-old captained Queensland 30 times at Origin level and won a record eight man of the match awards. He was inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 1999 and is a member of rugby league’s ‘Immortals’ club.

Readers seeking support and information can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

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