Footy legend Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin confirms his next move after shock departure from Channel 9

NRL funny man Paul Vautin has revealed that he will never work another day in his life after announcing his retirement and bringing to an end a 33-year broadcasting career with Channel 9.

Footy fans hoped the larrikin commentator would continue doing other media work following his shock announcement, but the NRL icon has now ruled it out.

‘I will never work again. I am done. I’m not looking for work,’ the Manly great told SEN radio on Tuesday.

‘I don’t want to do anything. Not radio, not podcasts. I don’t want to do anything. I’m happy.’

Vautin, who lives on the Gold Coast, says he’s very happy just spending time at home relaxing.

‘I can spend a whole day on my own and be happy with myself,’ he said. 

Footy legend Paul Vautin says that he will never work another day in his life

Vautin says he won’t do radio, podcasts or any other kind of media

 ‘Sometimes I read, go for a walk or mow the grass. I’m very happy in my own company.’

Vautin was the face of the popular sports talk show The Footy Show for the better part of 24 years before he was unceremoniously dismissed in 2017 after ratings dwindled.

He revealed the exact moment he knew it was time to walk away from his job.

‘Something changed this year. I’d be driving up in three hours of traffic on a Friday afternoon going ‘oh my god what am I doing?’ he said.

‘In the end I just felt as though I’d rather be at home watching the footy on a Friday night than working on it.

‘I still love the game immensely but I just thought ‘you know what I think I’m done’.

‘There was one particular moment when the Brisbane Broncos were playing the Roosters on a Friday night at Suncorp and look it was a pretty good game, I was commentating with Joey and we were having a good time.

‘Then 20 minutes into the second half I was looking out at the field going, ‘Oh my god I am so bored’.

Vautin, who played 204 games for Manly and represented his state and country in rugby league, described his time in TV as an absolute privilege

 ‘I drove home thinking wow that had never happened before and I knew then it was the beginning of the end.’

Vautin told SMH that it was a privilege to work with so many talented people throughout his career at Channel 9.

‘I still love Nine, and all the great people there, and I still love the game, I really do – it gave me everything,’ he said.

‘I can’t believe how fortunate I’ve been to play the game at the level I did. I thought when I came to Sydney I’d have a few years in reserve grade and then probably go home. Instead, I got to play with some of the greats of the game who I now get to call friends.

‘And then to think that I somehow had a career in media that went for as long as it did. I’m just so grateful for all the people and my family who have helped me along the way.’