Tony Armstrong’s shock career move after leaving ABC Breakfast News as rumors swirl he will replace the veteran Seven newsreader

Tony Armstrong is rumored to be replacing a veteran Channel Seven newsreader after quitting ABC News Breakfast.

The TV star, 35, recently stepped down from his sports reporting role on the program after three years, with Friday marking his final day on air.

He teases that he has another exciting project planned with ABC, but there are now reports that he is working on another channel.

There is speculation that Tony will replace top seven newsreader Tim Watson, who presents sports on 7News Melbourne, according to TV black box.

Sports presenter Tim, 63, is reportedly ‘ready to call it a day’ at the network after 13 years, delivering his weekday sports bulletin during the 6pm news in Melbourne.

Rebecca Maddern was seen as the frontrunner for the role, but rumors are now swirling that Tony is also in the running to take over the top job.

Luke Darcy accidentally announced his friend Tim’s much-publicised departure on his Triple M radio show last month, before realizing Seven was still keeping the move top secret.

“I’m going to drop another little bomb here and that is… Tim “Whispy” Watson is about to end up at the Seven Network,” the AFL star turned radio presenter told his listeners.

Tony Armstrong, left, has been hit by rumors he will replace veteran Channel Seven newsreader Tim Watson, right, after quitting ABC Breakfast News

Moments later, he began angrily backtracking after his co-hosts questioned whether Tim was aware that his impending departure would be made public on their show.

“Maybe that was an off-air conversation,” Luke then admitted. “Let’s forget that part… let’s forget that… we’ll move on from that part.”

Tony’s contract with ABC is believed to expire in a few weeks, although he is hopeful of landing a primetime hosting gig with the network next year.

When he announced his departure from ABC News Breakfast last month, Tony confirmed he will be working on a new project with ABC next year, but remained coy about the details of the mystery job.

“There’s something coming out early next year, I’m not allowed to say what it is yet, it’s top secret,” the former Sydney Swans star teased.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven and Tony’s representatives for comment.

The TV star, 35, recently left his role as a sportscaster at ABC Breakfast News after three years, which was his last day on air last Friday.

Tony’s last day at ABC News Breakfast was somewhat marred when he was called out by the network for doing voiceovers for insurance company NRMA while working on the program.

Janine Perrett made Tony’s appearance on Media Watch public, revealing he had been working as a voice for NRMA Insurance ads since July.

The Media Watch stand-in presenter said it was ‘amazing’ that Tony had failed to get approval from the broadcaster before landing the new gig.

The ABC’s editorial policy states that any outside work by a high-profile presenter is not prohibited but is considered ‘very high risk’.

The ABC told Media Watch that his voiceover work was done without his knowledge and was due to a ‘misunderstanding with Tony’s external representation’.

‘They have been provided with a copy of the external working guidelines and have been reminded that all ABC employees must comply with these. Tony is a highly valued employee and has the full support of the ABC,” the broadcaster said.

Addressing the controversy, the sports star then admitted it had been a “funny old week” during his latest ABC Breakfast News show on Friday.

Tony’s last day at ABC News Breakfast was somewhat marred when he was called in to do voiceovers for insurance company NRMA while working on Media Watch’s program

‘Mixed feelings. You can see it in my body language: I don’t like to talk about myself, despite having a career where I’m in front of a camera,” he told viewers.

“It’s been such a whirlwind three years. Believe it or not, I was nervous when I started.

‘It didn’t take long. But hey, that wasn’t that long ago. And yes, News Breakfast basically gave me everything. It’s given me… It’s given me a joy ride!

“I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now to be able to leave on my own terms and into whatever comes next.

‘I don’t know exactly what it is yet… I’m very grateful to everyone watching and everyone who has said such nice things to me over the course of this week.

‘It’s been a funny old week. But yes, people have been very nice to me.’