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Matt Newton out as X Factor host

Matt Newton has returned to rehab and withdrawn from his hosting role on The X Factor just one week before its premiere.

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Performer Matt Newton has withdrawn from his hosting role on Seven’s upcoming talent series The X Factor, following a return to rehab, claim reports.

A Fremantle Media source tells News.com.au, “on arrival in Dublin it was decided that Matthew needed to return to Australia to the care of his family”.

It reports Newton was escorted home from Dublin with a producer.

A Seven spokesperson added, “Matthew had a strong commitment to the program and has tried his utmost to make it work. He has the support of his family and friends as he works his way back to full health.”

The news emerges just one week before the series makes its on-air debut, due on Monday August 30th.

Filming of Audition Stages and Bootcamp have already been completed with Newton as host. Other segments of Judge’s Houses episodes was underway ahead of live performance episodes yet to come.

The show is Seven’s biggest new brand this year, with a pricetag said to be around $22m. Creator Simon Cowell is relying on the show making an impact this year following its lacklustre season on TEN in 2005.

Seven promos with Newton have been bombarding various media and TV in the build up to the show’s premiere. He remains on the official website as host.

Updated: Newton’s profile has since been removed from all except videos.

Newton’s return to rehab follows a stint in a Melbourne private hospital earlier this year, and previous personal incidents which have attracted media headlines.

Source: news.com.au

53 Responses

  1. Ben Cousins, Matty Johns, Matt Newton….Can’t wait ’til Schapelle gets back – she’s sure to get her own show.

  4. This sucks. I have been to the auditions and he was doing an amazing job. I dont know who could replace him to tell you the truth. As long as its not Dan McPherson or Grant Denyer i’ll be fine. Simon would be spewing at this moment because this is his pet and he hates things going wrong.

  5. this is really bad, people will discover why when the show starts. i have seen some of it and i think matt newton was a great talent and going to come out of this a big star. He was definitely a great pick over all the names that were rumored and have been suggested here. It’s not often that reality shows like this take a risk and get a fresh face and this really could have really paid off. such a shame it has come to this.

    with about 3-4 weeks notice fremantle will sadly probably have to go for a safe option like dan mcpherson who is great but i can’t see him filling Matt’s shoes.

  6. why does it have to a man to host
    plenty talented ladies about to take over
    some one with comedy talents
    Julia Morris would be a hoot

  7. Sad but not unexpected story.

    My pics would be James Tobin or Andrew G. Larry Emdur would be great but I think they will be looking for somene younger.

    Please not Grant , Daniel or Darren.

  9. please don’t let it be Daniel… all he does is smirk throughout his hosting duties whether intentional or not.

  10. Feel for Matt, but I feel this may have been his last chance to host. Unlikely he will be given another opportunity now. He needs to get himself on track.

    Daniel would do a great job, as would Ruby Rose. A new host would be nice but please no Grant Denyer!!

  12. It was doomed from the get go. Get runy rose in!!!! Pls god nooo dan mcpherson he is soooo horrible n fake to watch!!!! Cant stand him. Get a fresh face!!!

  13. Wow i am really suprised, Matt was amazing in his role as host, I went through to the bootcamp stage and was so impressed with his work.. what a shame!!

  14. Whenever Grant Denyer was away from It Takes Two, Larry Emdur would fill in, maybe he should stand in (for a lot longer this time granted)?

  15. I was as shocked as anyone else. I knew Matthew Newton was always a risk, but for him to withdraw from the program after another incident was disappointing. Now Seven will need the program to rate very well to retain the contract for next year.

  16. Curious onlyone person on this post has even referred to the significance of this news to the well being of the guy involved! I am no fan, but this is nothing short of tragic. It was a huge risk, and evidently a self fulfilling prophecy, but the public humiliation and private angst that the Newton family is going through is far more important than whether it was a ‘publicity’ stunt or a doom sayers delight! Compassion for him, i think is needed.

  19. Like it was just said on Sunrise James Tobin will be the hot favourite to be the new host

  20. I never understood why Newton was given the gig in the first place. it was a strange decision. For me, it just didn’t fit. It is sad for him and the family. I think it is also sad for Bert Newton. He made such a good name for the Newton ‘brand’. Now his son is undoing all that work…

  21. They should give it to someone edgy and fresh.

    No Grant Denyer, no Minute to Win It guy. Why not hire someone fresh, like Andrew G and James were for Idol?

  23. Dan Macpherson did a good job when it was on Ten, it was just the format itself that sucked. I say give Dan the job.

  24. Well there we go – this deal worked well for Seven – Newton was going to either blossom or burst, and he burst – this will work well for marketing.

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