Paul Vautin announces retirement after 33 years as Aussies rally around the NRL and TV legend

The NRL icon delivered the sad news to Aussies after 33 years on television.

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
Updated ·4-min read

NRL and TV icon Paul 'Fatty' Vautin has finally called it a day and won't be appearing on Channel Nine for the 2025 season after 33 years on Australian television. Vautin is a NRL great having captained the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles to the 1987 premiership under legendary coach Bob Fulton.

He featured in 204 games for Manly and played 22 State of Origin games for Queensland having cemented his status as a rugby league great. He then coached Queensland to the famous 1995 State of Origin series victory to end the NSW dynasty at the time.

NRL icon and former Footy Show host Paul 'Fatty' Vautin (pictured left) has finally called time on his television career after 33 years. (Getty Images)
NRL icon and former Footy Show host Paul 'Fatty' Vautin (pictured left) has finally called time on his television career after 33 years. (Getty Images)

While many remember him for his role on the field, others remember him for his energetic persona on Aussie television. Vautin has been a mainstay on Channel Nine since 1992 and hosted the very first Footy Show episode alongside Peter Sterling.

The duo became synonymous with the show with Vautin remaining host for 23 years in arguably one of the most loved programs on Aussie TV at the time. The show won 11 Logies at the Australian TV Awards with the run of awards ending the same year Vautin stepped back.

James Bracey, Paul Vautin and Andrew Johns share a laugh.
Paul Vautin (pictuerd middle) appeared on the Channel 9 NRL Footy panel alongside James Bracey and Andrew Johns for a number of years.

Vautin has appeared on Channel Nine for a number of years as an NRL analyst and commentator. He has appeared in the commentary box alongside NRL icons such as Sterling, Wally Lewis, Andrew Johns and modern day legends Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater.

Only last week, Vautin was inducted into the Queensland Hall of Fame for his achievements as a player and coach. And the 65-year-old has finally decided to call time on his career on television having said he had run out of steam to feature for another year travelling around Australia.

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"I've been incredibly fortunate to work with so many talented people over the years, and I've had the pleasure of connecting with some of the most passionate sports fans in the country," he said.

"It's been an absolute privilege to be part of and I'm grateful for every moment. I'll miss the laughs, the banter, and of course, the incredible athletes, commentators and the Channel 9 family that I've been lucky enough to work with for over three decades."

Paul Vautin celebrating a win.
Paul Vautin (pictured) coaches Queensland to a famous State of Origin win in 1995.

And there has been no shortage of tributes paid to the NRL and television icon. Current Channel Nine host Matthew Thompson praised Vautin and said there was 'none better' in the business. Fellow Channel Nine reporter Peter Psaltis called for him to be inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame after a glittering career on and off the field.

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