- Paul Vautin announced retirement from Channel 9
- Ben Ikin says there’s a different side to TV funnyman
- Says there’s a difference between ‘Paul’ and ‘Fatty’
Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin has opened up about the real Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin, following the NRL cult hero’s shock decision to quit his TV career.
One of Australian television’s most beloved personalities, Vautin announced his retirement from TV last weekend, bringing to an end a remasweetrkable 33-year broadcasting career with Channel 9.
Vautin was known for his charm, warmth and sense of humour – but not many realised just how intelligent the larrikin commentator was.
NRL supremo Phil Gould pointed out in a tribute to Vautin that ‘it takes a smart man to play the fool’ – and it’s something that Ikin wanted to also talk about.
‘I’m really glad Gus (Gould) made those comments because he’s one of the biggest brains in our game, talking about Fatty’s intelligence,’ Ikin told SEN radio on Wednesday.
‘To do what he did for so long and the way he did it, you need a big brain yourself to play the ‘fool’.
Ben Ikin (pictured) has lifted the lid on the Paul Vautin that fans don’t get to see
‘Fatty’ announced his retirement from television over the weekend, bringing to an end a 33-year broadcasting career with Channel 9
‘But the guy I got to know over the past 30 years in private is very well read, and has some deep profound insights into the game.
‘And despite the fact we see more of ‘Fatty’ than we do of Paul, the friend that I have come to know has provided great counsel to me. If I am troubled by something or need a solution to a problem, Fatty is one of the people I would call.’
Footy fans hoped the larrikin commentator might continue doing other media work following his shock announcement on the weekend, but Vautin 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.
‘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 24 years
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’.
‘I drove home thinking wow that had never happened before and I knew then it was the beginning of the end.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .