ABC star suffers crippling panic attack on live TV, has to leave camera halfway through weather report: ‘I have to stop’
ABC News Breakfast weather host Nate Byrne was forced to interrupt his report mid-broadcast Tuesday morning after suffering a panic attack while live on the radio.
Byrne interrupted his report with the words: “I have to stop for a moment” and handed the broadcast over to presenters Lisa Millar and Michael Rowland.
In a trembling voice, he told viewers: ‘Some of you may know that I suffer from panic attacks from time to time, and I am having that now.’
“Lisa, maybe I can give it back to you.”
Millar quickly took over the broadcast, while Byrne recovered off-screen.
Byrne has spoken openly about his struggles with anxiety – in 2022 published an article documenting his experiences with panic attacks on the radio.
The weatherman was later welcomed back to the show and apologized for his absence.
“I’m sorry if I scared anyone,” he said.
ABC News Breakfast weather presenter Nate Byrne had to take a break midway through Tuesday morning’s broadcast after suffering a panic attack live on the radio. Pictured during the event
Rowland jokingly replied that he was just afraid that he would have to report the weather forecast himself.
Byrne described his previous experience with a panic attack on television as “gasping for breath.”
‘As I stood there under the studio lights, talking to people drinking their morning coffee and wiping the sleep from their eyes, my heart was pounding.
‘I was gasping for breath and sweat was pouring from every pore as my brain screamed, “RUN!”
“But I was standing in one of my favorite places, doing what I love most.”
Byrne said that once the camera was off him, he dropped his stance during the broadcast and “hunched over, trying to catch his breath, dizzy and confused about what was happening.”
Since then, he has been working with a psychologist to learn and apply coping skills so he can continue to do his job.
Rowland has since shared an update on social media stating that Byrne has rested and is now doing well.
“You may have seen Nate having a panic attack this morning while presenting the weather forecast on News Breakfast,” he captioned footage from this morning’s broadcast, which he shared to his personal Instagram account around midday.
The ABC weather presenter regularly suffers from panic attacks
His ABC News Breakfast colleagues praised Nate for being open and honest about his anxiety. Pictured: Nate (right) with Lisa Millar (centre) and Michael Rowland
“Nate has been very open about his panic attacks – he’s even written about them before – and he’s doing great!” Rowland said.
The newsreader and journalist thanked breakfast show viewers profusely for their kindness and understanding, and cheekily noted that he hopes he hasn’t “made matters worse” for Byrne by giving him a “big bear hug off camera” after the incident.
“Thank you for all the support (there have been so many. What a great audience we have!),” Rowland continued.
“As a team, we’re always here for you, Nate.”
‘Always’.
Television colleagues, Australian celebrities and viewers responded en masse to the comments to show their support, with many praising Byrne and his colleagues for ‘normalising’ anxiety and showing how to support someone struggling with it in an effective and compassionate way.
‘Love to Nate! Well done Nate and the team for handling this so well. We are all human and many of us have been in similar situations. What a wonderful role model you are Nate, honest and authentic,’ wrote one viewer.
“These are terrible things. Love for him,” Karl Stefanovic wrote.
“Live TV is challenging,” said Sophie Scott, a professor of mental health at Notre Dame. “By showing your humanity and vulnerability, you can help others who are living with anxiety and panic attacks.”
Australian author and ‘appearance activist’ Carly Findlay OAM also joined the conversation: ‘You are so amazing Nate.’
“Thank you for your openness and honesty. It makes it easier for others to speak out,” added another.
