Hitch shares most personal issues
The Nine Network today stood firm with its long-standing Melbourne newsreader Peter Hitchener following an interview in today’s Herald-Sun in which he admitted he is gay.
Hitchener, 62, told journalist Fiona Byrne, “I am a single person and given that we are on private issues of private life, I am choosing to share with you today that part of my life that I have not spoken about before: that I am gay,” he said.
“That is part of who I am and with that disclosure, or acknowledgment, I just also need to say I am still the person I was yesterday. I am still the same person and I remain committed to my job and my family and my service and so on.
“It is not something that has ever come up before. I have never been asked about it before. There is never a right time, or an easy time, to talk about these personal issues, but this is the right time to say it and to move on.”
An intensely private and work-focussed man, he added that he is not in a relationship.
In the Melbourne market, where nightly news is hotly contested, Hitchener’s sharing of his life has been no quick decision. This year in Monday to Friday news battles National Nine News has won five ratings weeks out of six and is consistently the network’s strongest news performer around the country. For a formidable newsreader who has been with the network for 35 years, he continues to enjoy the returned loyalty of colleagues and executives, including for today’s interview.
Nine News Director Michael Venus said he fully supported Hitchener’s decision to speak about his personal life.
“I am acutely aware of how difficult a decision this has been for Peter. Indeed I know he has agonised over it for a very long time,” Venus said.
“But it is a decision which has our full support and in no way diminishes his standing as one of Australia’s pre-eminent broadcasters.
“And why would it? His professionalism and credibility is without peer. He is an enormously popular and much-loved public figure who continues to do an outstanding job.
“He enjoys the respect of everyone in the newsroom and this revelation – sensitively done with such dignity and style – further endears him to us all.
“He is a great communicator and has wonderful warmth and credibility. People believe what he says. He has a quite unassuming style and I think to most people he is an authoritative, joy to watch.
“And he is without doubt the best newsreader in the country.”
Nine Network’s executive director and GTV9’s managing director Jeffrey Browne said Hitchener was an integral part of the network.
“Peter is a distinguished and highly respected newsreader who has shown great dignity and courage in talking frankly about his private life. I have assured him on behalf of the network, of our support and commitment to him,” Browne said.
“National Nine News is a staple for Victorians. It is the news they trust and in no small part that enviable reputation is attributable to Peter’s professionalism, his dedication to bringing the latest news first to Victorians and his warmth and empathy with his audience.
“He is an integral part of the team which makes National Nine News Melbourne’s best.”
Hitchener also spoke about the news battle, keeping fit, the importance of family and his years with the Nine Network.
He has two years left on his current five-year contract with Nine and has no plans to put his feet up at its end, describing hosting the nightly bulletin as a privilege.
“I am 62 and I feel that I am as committed as ever to the news and I would like to continue on (after this contract ends),” he said.
“I have had wonderful support from management and I am very happy to be working where I am and I hope to remain a member of the team for a long time. I am incredibly proud and I am so thrilled to be involved in the (news) team.
“To have people like Jo Hall, Tony Jones and Livinia Nixon to work with every day, and the reporters and everybody in the crew, is wonderful.
“I think we are presenting a great product. I believe it is the best one in the country – but maybe I am a bit biased.”
All humility aside, in an ego-driven industry there are few in the business that enjoy the respect of one widely viewed as an absolute gentleman.
Source and photo: Herald Sun
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Well Done Peter, You have made the right decision!
It seems that Australian TV is growing up in that a number of high profile people i.e Tim Campbell, Anthony Calea, Anton Enus, Todd McEnny etc are being true to themselves and it not having any negative impact on them at all..
It’s about courage and you just reaveled it in a most personal way.
Many young people will thankyou for being there new role model..
Good on ya Mate!!
Good on him!
It’s great to hear people feel comfortable enough these days to be open about it.
Bobby, I agree with your point that its good to see media identities feel comfortable enough to be open about it, I dont know that Anthony Callea chose to be open about it though, from what I recall he had to be pretty much dragged kicking and screaming from the closet after having denied it all through Idol and beyond, he was outed by a radio traffic reporter by accident if I recall,that big dirty pash with his singing partner on “Its Takes Two” recently didnt sit comfortably either..still, hes younger than the others you listed so Is probably still becoming comfortable with it himself.
Well done Peter. A great bloke and a great newsreader - lets just hope the people in Nappy Valley remember that and not let their ignorance get in the way.
Although it will now be interesting if Light FM, the Christian radio station, will continue with their simulcast of National Nine News
Craig you’re right about Anthony - he did only come out after being outed.
It seems from reading the article that Peter has wanted to do this for a long time and only now he has been given the go ahead from management at C9.
This isn’t news to me I’ve got to say though - It’s been a well known secret for a very long time.
I think it will be interesting to see how C7 responds to this news..
We might be in for a little bit of homophobia from them, I can just see it.. Peter Mitchell the family man, Peter Mitchell representing mainstream Victoria. Peter Mitchell no secrets to hide!
Late last year I was fortunate enough to spend a week at GTV9 as part of my professional placement component of my journalism degree. One of my bosses organised for me to sit in on a taping of the evening news, just to see what goes on behind the scenes. When I walked into the studio it was during the first commercial break, Peter was sitting behind the desk and instantly greeted me and thanked me for coming in and made sure someone found me a place to sit with a good view of everything.
When I left at the end of the taping, he thanked me again, wished me well on my studies and said he hoped to see me back in the halls at Nine someday soon in the future. While everyone at GTV9 was unbelievably helpful and friendly, Peter Hitchener went out of his way to make me feel welcome even though he was focused on his work.
I really hope that coming out has taken a huge burden off his shoulders, and serves as a great role model. There should be more people like him around.
Bobby, Hitchener’s decision to speak on the matter, as indicated in the full article, is his own rather than managerial ‘go aheads.’ Not sure it’s helpful to speculate on any homophobia from 7 given the article isn’t about them. Indeed Nick McCallum (from 7) was on radio this morning congratulating Hitchener and acknowledging he is a gentleman.
As with Anton Enus, it’s good to see this matter acknowledged, supported and everyone move on.
I havent met Peter but he sounds like a lovely guy - very professional & obviously loves his job!
Very pleased for Peter - I hope the ratings for 9 news goes thru the roof with this - wonderful news!
I give it 4 weeks before there is a 7 news Frontline style ad with Peter Mitchell kicking a football in the park with his kids, with his wife watching on…call my cynical..but this is commercial TV after all!
I had heard this on the grapevine for years, but its great that he has finally come out. I’m certain that like Anton Enus, this won’t make one jot of difference to his career, or his audience.
I am pleased for Peter - that he can now speak out - but it is still a shame that it is something that makes news in itself. So, while Australia is growing up, we’re not there yet.
Funnily enough, I have thought on and off for many years the Peter may well be gay. It’s almost the lack of stories about Peter the person that gave the biggest hint.
I remember Brian Naylor taking over from Sir Eric Pearce, then I remember being so pleased when Peter took over the reins once Brian retired. Channel 9 have been so lucky to have three men of such a high calibre to be their head newsreaders in Melbourne over several decades. They all seem like great guys as well. I hope Peter is around for many more years yet.
I agree with the comment about 7’s homophobia.
Has anyone noticed a strong bias of late in channel 7’s reporting? I’ve never seen a network before show comments from an opposition leader before a current Premier, but channel 7 always airs comments by Ted Baileu before Brumby. Always.
Furthermore they constantly rely on the Australian Family Association, a notorious right-wing religious group as a source of information.
Seven’s Melbourne also overemphasise religious stories, including 3 minutes on a “search for jesus” as a news story.
But congrats on Peter, wish his competition were more progressive.
Seven aren’t the only ones who go straight to the Australian Family Association for moral outrage soundbites. The Herald Sun and even Triple J have done so on numerous occasions. Its disgraceful that this looney fringe group keeps getting airtime.
But back to the topic….
I agree that its a shame that something like this still has to be “news”, but every celeb that comes out gives courage to other people, and that’s a good thing