Breaking: Andrew Lofthouse quits Nine
Respected newsreader retires, saying he is facing a health issue
Longtime Brisbane 9News anchor Andrew “Lofty” Lofthouse is retiring due to ill health.
In a statement, he said, “It’s been an amazing privilege and a wonderful experience with the best in the business.
“And of course, our incredible viewers who make it all worthwhile.
“I’m currently dealing with a bit of a health issue so now is a good time for me to pull back and slow down a little after a dream career.
“Thanks for watching!”
Lofty has been with Nine for 17 years, and was with the ABC before that, first as a announcer on the then 4QR (later 612 ABC Brisbane) and then as reader on the ABC TV news.
Some of his media colleagues had raised concerns about him in recent months, with one noting that he had taken to wearing glasses to read the news.
His co-anchor Melissa Downes hailed Lofthouse as a “true gentleman”.
“He is incredibly passionate about quality journalism, taking an interest in every story in our bulletin.
“Lofty is so much more than just a colleague, he’s one of my closest friends and I’m so incredibly grateful for the 16 years we shared on the 9News desk."
9News Queensland news director Brendan Hockings said Lofthouse was a “rare gem and exceptional talent”.
"For someone so respected, he is also so humble,” Hockings said.
"He is the journo who offers to carry the tripod. The colleague who makes you a cuppa. The news anchor who doesn’t see himself as any more than part of the team.
“The example he has set as a newsman is the gold standard.”
Brett Debritz’s thoughts: I first interviewed Lofty when he was at 4QR and I was writing a radio column for The Courier-Mail, and have seen him many times over the years.
I can certainly say that I’ve not had a bad experience with him, nor heard a bad word. I’ve also witnessed first-hand the warm relationship he and Downes shared off-camera. And that’s rare in the media business.
May he overcome his health problems and enjoy a well-deserved happy retirement.
Update 5.25pm: Lofty started in community radio in Brisbane and the Gold Coast and began his ABC Radio career in Rockhampton in the early 1990s and moved to Brisbane in 1994 to take over the Evenings shift. Thanks to Spencer Howson for the above ABC program schedule with a profile of Lofty when they worked together in Rocky.
Update 7.10am Tuesday. Melissa Downes was visibly and genuinely moved when announcing Lofty’s departure last might. It was a very emotional moment.