Tony Jones Storms Off Live Broadcast After Gold Coast Star's On-Air Dig
Veteran Channel Nine broadcaster Tony Jones has made a sensational exit from the Footy Show set after rising Gold Coast Suns talent Zeke Uwland delivered a cutting joke about Jones's infamous attempt to kiss Rebecca Judd live on air back in 2016. The incident unfolded during Sunday's broadcast after Uwland was invited as a guest following his team's unbeaten start to the AFL season.
The On-Air Exchange That Sparked the Walkout
Uwland, an 18-year-old emerging star, initially poked fun at Jones when the broadcaster failed to properly bounce an AFL football at the segment's beginning. The young player then followed up with a more pointed quip when asked if he had seen Jones's famous 2018 on-air slip-up where he attempted a handball and completely missed.
'Oh, I don't know, I've just seen [the incident with] Bec Judd, that's all,' Uwland replied, sending the entire AFL panel into fits of laughter. The remark directly referenced the awkward 2016 moment when Jones tried to give fellow presenter Rebecca Judd a farewell cheek kiss during a Melbourne news bulletin as she prepared for maternity leave.
Jones immediately stormed off the live broadcast, declaring as he walked away: 'I tell you what, I don't mind copping s**t from you lot (the panel), but when I start getting it from that (Uwland), I'm out of here.'
The Infamous 2016 Incident Revisited
The original controversy occurred in August 2016 when Jones attempted to give Judd a peck on the cheek during her farewell from Nine's Melbourne news bulletin. As Jones leaned in saying 'Good luck, Bec!' Judd pulled away with a yelp before bursting into giggles. Jones was left crossing his arms and grumbling 'OK, good, this is going well,' as his face turned visibly red.
In March 2020, Jones revealed the truth behind the cringe-worthy moment, explaining he was supposed to present Judd with flowers but someone had forgotten to purchase them. In a moment of panic, he decided to kiss her cheek instead, but the gesture was poorly received.
Jones's History of Controversial Moments
The veteran sports broadcaster, nicknamed 'Chompers,' has attracted significant controversy throughout his career. Most notably, he clashed with tennis superstar Novak Djokovic during the 2025 Australian Open, generating global attention after the Serbian took offense to Jones's broadcast comments.
Jones made remarks about Djokovic and his Serbian fans that included the phrase 'kick him out,' which many interpreted as referencing Djokovic's 2021 deportation from Australia. Djokovic believed Jones 'made a mockery' of Serbian spectators and described the comments as 'insulting and offensive.'
Jones was forced to apologize for his remarks but maintained they had been 'misinterpreted.' This latest walkout adds another chapter to the broadcaster's history of contentious on-air moments, demonstrating that even veteran presenters can find themselves unexpectedly targeted by rising sports stars during live television broadcasts.
