
Andrew ‘Lofty’ Lofthouse retires from Nine News
"Time for me to pull back and slow down a little after a dream career," says Queensland news presenter.
- Published by David Knox
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9News Queensland has today announced the retirement of presenter Andrew ‘Lofty’ Lofthouse, to focus on his health.
Lofthouse has been with Nine for 17 years, 16 of those alongside Melissa Downes.
He first joined 9News Queensland as a weekend presenter in 2008 before joining Melissa Downes a year later on weekday bulletins. He has covered some of Queensland’s biggest stories, including the devastating floods of 2011 and 2022, Cyclone Yasi as well as presenting in Christchurch after the earthquake and in Paris just for Nine’s Olympic Games.
He previously had roles with ABC News television and radio.
9News Queensland News Director Brendan Hockings said: “Lofty is a rare gem and an exceptional talent. For someone so respected, he is also so humble. 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. He is rare, he is loved and he is forever Nine Queensland. We wish him our love and support as he navigates this next period.”
Andrew Lofthouse said: “I’ve been in the business a long time. I’ve done a heck of a lot with Nine. 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!”
9News Presenter Melissa Downes said: “Andrew Lofthouse is one of the true gentlemen of the TV News business. 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.”
Melissa Downes will continue to present 9News Queensland until a co-presenter is appointed.
While no details have been disclosed around his health, Lofty’s career at Nine will be recognised at the end of tonight’s 6pm bulletin.
- Tagged with Nine News
7 Responses
Can’t say I’m the most avid follower of the Queensland news market. But surely, Johnathan Uptin (with his previous presenting experience on Darwin/regional and weekend QTQ bulletins) has to be the most likely successor to Andrew Lofthouse on Nine News Queensland?
Granted, there’s been management changes of late. But it’d nonetheless be difficult to imagine that Johnno getting the weeknight sports gig (from memory) a couple of years ago wasn’t a decision made with the thought he’d eventually succeed Andrew.
Paul Taylor could also be in the running but would think we’d be more likely to see him present weekend bulletins on a regular basis.
It isn’t a shock as he took a leave of absence and hasn’t read Bris Channel 9’s Monday-Friday 6 pm news for like 3 months now.
That is a shock. Andrew is so professional and you can feel the chemistry he has with Melissa. They are the best news team in Brisbane.
He will be greatly missed
he was ok..agree with the professional bit…but not sure of the chemistry between them…he seemed aloof and there was little interaction between the two of them was the way i saw it.does every city’s 6 o’clock news have two readers…man and woman?
Sydney and I believe Perth are the only two 6pm Nine News’ without dual-headed presentation on weeknights (or in our market’s case, Sunday to Thursday). Even NBN News is double headed albeit with a dual newsreader/forecaster in Gavin Morris!
Given that Peter Overton hasn’t had an insignificant amount of time off-air during the last year or so for health reasons, it probably wouldn’t be a massive shock if he were to step down from Nine News Sydney before overly long. At the very least, I’d be surprised if the possibility of a co-presented 6pm bulletin wasn’t seriously considered by TCN’s new news director to bring Sydney in-line with all other East Coast markets.
Yes in Perth Michael Thompson reads on his own.
You dont need dual readers
Just want the news
Melisa could barely contain herself trying to let viewers know he had left. Emotions and chemistry are what builds a long lasting relationship and they had that..Andrew was seen on many occasions putting his arm around people in crisis that’s not aloof that’s sympathy…nor does every 6 o’clock news in the city have 2 news readers (women and men ) they often have one newsreader. Seven in Brisbane were down to one when Max Futcher was away for a week, its not unusual for various reasons..but I personally think the real problem with tv nowadays is trying to please the masses, you only have to read the comments to see that.