Every newsreader’s worst nightmare came true for 9News Melbourne’s Tom Steinfort and Alicia Loxley yesterday – the dreaded hot mic moment.
The embarrassment was exacerbated by a dedicated segment on The Kyle and Jackie O Show this morning.
During Wednesday night’s episode of Tipping Point, host Todd Woodbridge threw to the newsroom for a quick update.
But instead of headlines, viewers were treated to a slice of candid newsroom chatter about Queensland holidays.
Now, here’s where things get murky.
The team, including Steinfort, Loxley, and a unnamed floor manager, then began discussing an upcoming holiday to Queensland.
“I always find it amazing that Gold Coast and Brisbane are […] closer to Melbourne than they are to Cairns,” Steinfort said.
“I know, Queensland’s huge,” Loxley added.
Later, during weather presenter Livinia Nixon’s cross, a male voice could be heard saying: “I’ll be watching Gold Coast News with Paul Taylor“.
This morning, after he was played the segment during a chat on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, Taylor said he believed the comment was said in a negative way, rather than a joking one.
Nine has confirmed to Mediaweek that Steinfort was not the person on the Grassy Knoll, but rather, it was the floor manager who made the now fabled quip.
A source close to the parties involved backed-up Nine’s statement.
Blindsided
When Taylor was played the blooper for the very first time live on The Kyle and Jackie O Show Thursday morning, co-host Sandilands incorrectly told Taylor that Steinford had said the quip, asking Taylor if he thought his tone sounded negative.
“Us news readers, we know nuance and we know the little bits and pieces that go on – that sounds pretty damn negative,” Taylor replied, clearly choosing his words carefully.
Sandilands laughed: “Don’t take this s**t laying down. I would demand to be a national news reader from tomorrow.”
Steinford and Loxley took over the hosting duties for 9News Melbourne from longtime anchor Peter Hitchener earlier this year.
Main image: Tom Steinfort and Alicia Loxley