Veteran newsreader Peter Hitchener, 75, is taken off air after stumbling over his words during a live bulletin – sparking concerns for the health of the Channel Nine icon
- Veteran news anchor Peter Hitchener was taken off air mid-bulletin Monday
- Iconic Nine News Melbourne presenter stumbled on his words during segment
- Clint Stanway took over for the 75-year-old as the broadcast went to video
Veteran news anchor Peter Hitchener has been taken off air mid-bulletin after stumbling over his words during Channel Nine’s 6pm Melbourne news.
The 75-year-old, who has been reading the Nine news since 1998, was struggling to speak when producers quickly cut to a pre-recorded story.
Nine issued a statement on social media to say that he was suffering from a migraine.
‘He is now resting and we expect to see him back on deck tomorrow night. He is grateful for everyone’s concern,’ Nine’s Twitter account confirmed.
Veteran news anchor Peter Hitchener has been taken off air mid-bulletin after suffering a migraine
Hitchener was replaced on the broadcast by Clint Stanway who acknowledged the anchor’s absence before moving on with the news.
Nine tweeted that the news legend was feeling OK before the end of the broadcast, with Hitchener himself tweeting just after its conclusion at 7pm that he was fine.
‘Thanks so much for your well wishes… I am feeling better already. I am most grateful for your support,’ the 75-year-old said.
Peter Hitchener has been a mainstay as the face of Nine News Melbourne since 1998
Nine tweeted that the news legend was feeling OK before the end of the broadcast, with Hitchener himself tweeting just after its conclusion at 7pm that he was fine
There was immediate concern for Hitchener’s health, with Australian wheelchair star Dylan Alcott one of the first to comment
There was immediate concern for Hitchener’s health, with Australian wheelchair star Dylan Alcott one of the first to comment.
‘@9NewsMelb can someone please replace Peter Hitchener for the rest of the night and make sure the king is ok? Worried about him!!!’ the reigning Australian Open champion tweeted.
‘Fingers crossed he is feeling a bit better. I know all his viewers would be very concerned,’ another Twitter user said.
Other observers said Hitchener looked to have been struggling throughout the broadcast and were relieved to see him taken off and hear that he was fine.