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News reader pulls sickie on air

A regional TV news presenter bravely completed his bulletin without letting on to viewers he was being sick in a wastepaper bin during intervening film clips.

Kenny Toal of ITV’s North East Tonight was gripped with food-poisoning spasms before he went live for the half-hour evening bulletin.

But he reportedly gave the all-clear just as he was due to go on air, despite knowing a cheese pie cooked by his mother that hadn’t defrosted properly was to blame.

As the countdown began, the 34-year-old suddenly grabbed a bin, vomited, and then stuffed it under his desk before turning to the camera - ever the consummate professional.

Other bins were then whisked in and out of the studio as the programme continued, as co-host Pam Royle tried to help Toal through to the end of the bulletin, despite his grimaces.

Disclosures obtained by The Guardian reveal Toal made it through until the sports section, but finally had to slip out during a film clip, leaving Royle to carry on solo until the weather.

Andrew Friend, acting head of news at ITV Tyne Tees, told the paper: “Things almost got even worse – Kenny was reading a script and I saw him put his hand up to his mouth. I knew then that it was getting serious.”

Toal reportedly added: “It’s never happened to me before. I was totally gutted.”

Aug 9, 2007
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