Troubled radio star Marty Sheargold says he’s taking ‘an extended break from work’ and is ‘exhausted mentally’ after ‘incident’ at AFL Grand Final

Marty Schirgold has officially announced he is taking an “extended break” from work following the alleged incident at the AFL Grand Final.

In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, the Triple M breakfast host, 52, said he was “mentally exhausted” and needed to focus on himself for now.

“I just wanted to let people know that I will be taking an extended break from work, with the very kind and compassionate permission of my employers, who have been generous in understanding my need for a break,” he said.

“I think it’s important for people like me who have a public voice to admit that I’m mentally exhausted from a range of commitments on TV, radio and live shows, in an attempt to continue to break down some of the barriers and stigma surrounding mental health.” ,’ he continued.

“I need to take some time to get my work-life balance back to something that feels better than it has in the last few years.” Thank you to everyone who reached out to us, your support is welcome and enriching.’

Marty Schirgold (pictured) announced Thursday that he is taking

Marty Schirgold (pictured) announced on Thursday he was taking an “extended break” from work following the alleged incident at the AFL Grand Final

The announcement comes after Marty dropped his garden tools and stormed into his $2.3 million country estate when he was approached on Wednesday morning after taking “personal leave” for bad behavior at the Grand Final.

The comedian looked lost in thought when Daily Mail Australia spotted him wearing earmuffs and a South Sydney Rabbitohs cap as he took a spin on his sprawling property in the Dandenong Ranges on the outskirts of Melbourne.

However, the 52-year-old ran through bushes and retreated to his five-bedroom home before refusing to open the door when approached by a Daily Mail reporter from Australia.

Last week Triple M was thrown into chaos when Sheargold took unexpected absence from the airwaves.

The radio star’s departure from the show follows reports he was kicked out by security at the AFL Grand Final due to a number of offensive comments he made to other guests at the corporate event.

Sheargold is gardening in a Rabbitohs cap at his $2.3 million country estate in the Dandenong Ranges on the outskirts of Melbourne after taking 'personal leave'

Sheargold is gardening in a Rabbitohs cap at his $2.3 million country estate in the Dandenong Ranges on the outskirts of Melbourne after taking ‘personal leave’

The star retreated to her property and refused to open the door to a Daily Mail Australia reporter

The star retreated to her property and refused to open the door to a Daily Mail Australia reporter

Several guests complained about Sheargold’s behaviour, prompting organizers to ask him to leave the MCG.

However, Triple M’s parent company Southern Cross Austereo say he left at half-time ‘of his own accord’.

“Marty is taking a personal leave to spend some more time with his family.” It will be back on the air soon,” they said.

Whispers of his sudden disappearance from Triple M dominated talk in the radio industry.

Schirgold’s producer Lauren Berry was in Sydney on Saturday night to co-host the ACRA Awards.

Triple M Breakfast was thrown into a whirlwind of speculation last week when Marty Schirgold unexpectedly took an absence from the airwaves following alleged misconduct at the AFL Grand Final

Triple M Breakfast was thrown into a whirlwind of speculation last week when Marty Schirgold unexpectedly took an absence from the airwaves following alleged misconduct at the AFL Grand Final

The radio star was seen trimming the hedge of a property he owns in the Dandenong Ranges

The radio star was seen trimming the hedge of a property he owns in the Dandenong Ranges

The radio star's departure from the show follows reports he made a series of offensive comments to other guests at a corporate event at the AFL Grand Final

The radio star’s departure from the show follows reports he made a series of offensive comments to other guests at a corporate event at the AFL Grand Final

She told the Herald Sun that Sheargold would be back, assuring listeners of the show that “everything is fine”.

“He’s just taking some time off, just spending some time with his family, but we’re all good,” Berry said.

‘Everything is fine. We will be back.’

Marty, far right, is pictured with Tim Blackwell and Kate Ritchie at ACRAS 2016.

Marty, far right, is pictured with Tim Blackwell and Kate Ritchie at ACRAS 2016.

She also made light of the grueling life behind the microphone, saying that “doing breakfast radio just makes you tired. It’s very hard work’.

The Marty Sheargold Show rated 5.8 in the latest radio poll, placing it eighth in the Melbourne breakfast radio market.

Marty also stars in the ABC sitcom Fisk, which was picked up by Netflix and aired in the UK and US.