Peter Hitchener has tongues loose after posting a series of bizarre images of himself enjoying life in response to speculation he is about to retire from Channel Nine News.
In the since-deleted Instagram posts, the beloved Melbourne anchor appears with his hands outstretched “like a zombie” outside Sydney’s iconic Opera House.
Dotted with love heart emojis, Hitchener said, “Life is great!”.
Peter Hitchener in the now-deleted Instagram post. An industry insider described it as bizarre
Peter Hitchener’s usual Instagram posts show him behind the scenes of Channel Nine
Alicia Loxley is expected to replace Hitchener when and if he decides to retire
In another equally cringe-inducing post, also plastered with heart emojis, Hitchener commented that he “looked fresh” and “felt the best I’ve ever had.”
‘Love life to the max!’ exclaimed the 77-year-old. “I won’t stop until I drop.”
A television insider told Daily Mail Australia that Hitchener’s now-deleted posts were bizarre.
“It doesn’t look good,” the source said.
The strange messages seemed to come in response to an opinion part which was featured in Melbourne’s Sunday Herald Sun.
The article, written by entertainment guru Fiona Byrne, suggested that Hitchener should go out with a grace and put his “heir to the throne” in charge.
That heir is none other than newsreader Alicia Loxley from Melbourne.
Loxley has been a respected member of Nine’s news team for many years.
In years past, she has been up to her ears in mud, knocking on the doors of murder victims and criminals alike.
Hitchener showed his affection for viewers with an emoji-filled Instagram post that he has since deleted
Peter Hitchener (pictured) has refuted speculation that he is about to retire from Channel Nine News. The 77-year-old, who is celebrating 50 years with the network, stressed this week that stories of his retirement have been greatly exaggerated
Loxley has taken his seat for Hitchener at 6pm on Fridays and weekends runs the Nine Afternoon News at 4pm on Mondays and Tuesdays and Nine News First at Five, the national afternoon bulletin, at 5pm on weekends.
According to industry insiders Loxley was named as Hitchener’s eventual replacement at least two years ago.
Hitchener, who is celebrating 50 years with the network, stressed this week that stories of his retirement are “greatly exaggerated.”
“To be clear, the first I heard about my so-called retirement was reading about it this afternoon in @theheraldsun,” he wrote on Instagram after Byrne’s op-ed went online.
“It is my great honor and privilege to present the news, and I hope to do so for a few more years.”
That post saw Hitchener lavished with love from around the world, featuring Airborne messages from hard rockers from Serbia on his page.
“Wherever we are in the world, the only place we trust our news is yours,” the band wrote.
‘The mighty Hitch! With NineNow and a VPN from places as far as the Serbian border, we stream your warm reassuring informing voice in our tour bus. Thank you Hitch, and may you cast your soft tones across our globe for as long as you please!!’
In 2021, the seasoned newsreader took a step back from presenting the news full-time.
In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, a Channel Nine representative confirmed that Hitchener would be reduced to four days a week.
In April that year, Hitchener gave an update on his health after being taken off the air midway through the bulletin during Channel Nine’s 6pm Melbourne news.
He raised concerns after stumbling over his words on March 29 due to migraines, prompting producers to quickly revert to a pre-recorded narration.
Hitchener insured The Herald Sun that “everything is fine” with his health, confirming that he is taking care of himself more than ever since the on-air incident.
Alicia Loxley has been doing the hard work on Melbourne’s mean streets
“To be clear, the first I heard about my so-called retirement was reading about it this afternoon in @theheraldsun,” Hitchener wrote on Instagram. “It is my great honor and privilege to present the news, and I hope to do so for a few more years”
In 2021, the seasoned newsreader took a step back from presenting the news full-time
“I feel really good now and make sure I drink a lot of water,” he said before confirming that he had visited the hospital as a precaution.
Hitchener, who returned to work soon after, added that he had only suffered from migraines in recent years.
“It was the first time it aired and I hope it never happens again,” he said.
Shortly after the footage aired, Nine released a statement to confirm he was suffering from migraines.
Hitchener has been forced to endure even more hassle after being linked to an alleged stalker who claimed he was once married to the news anchor.
Kodei James Mulcahy, 22, of Werribee, is scheduled to appear in Werribee Magistrates Court next week on 26 unrelated charges of stalking and assault.
Last year, Mulcahy announced his “divorce” to Hitchener on social media.
“Just an update Peter and I are married and divorced,” he said.
Mulcahy had been claiming for months that he was married to Hitchener, who came out as gay in 2008.
Mulcahy has shared at least three photos of herself with Hitchener: two during studio tours and another that appears to have been taken outside Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theater during a group photo where Hitchener’s body is sliced in half.
Channel Nine insiders have told Daily Mail Australia that Mulcahy’s claims about Hitchener are completely false.
“They are a figment of his imagination,” the source said.