Former AFL player and dog lover Tony Armstrong is a face many know and love.
Dolled up in a purple suit, Armstrong added another accolade to his belt taking home the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent at the 62nd TV Week Logie Awards.
The award recognises a new talent in an Australian program who has gained popularity in their first major television role.
Accepting his award, Armstrong began by thanking his mother, the "old cheese".
"She's a superstar, she's done everything for me. I wouldn't be up here without her," he said before receiving a round of applause.
The former host of NITV's Yokayi Footy continued, thanking ABC News Breakfast's producers for giving him a chance and the National Indigenous Radio Service for sealing his fate as the first Indigenous play-by-play caller on commercial radio.
"If I hadn’t started calling .. . I wouldn’t have ended up here at the ABC," he said.
Armstrong also co-presented the Most Outstanding Sports Program Award alongside Australian of the Year Dylan Allcot to the Seven Network for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Before announcing the winner, Armstrong lulled the crowd to acknowledge the Gold Coast's Traditional Owners, the Yugambeh People.
Tony Armstrong during the 62nd TV Week Logie Awards at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on the Gold Coast. Source: AAP
Armstrong's moves in news
Armstrong joined the ABC News Breakfast in March of 2021, standing in for host Paul Kennedy.
In July, he became the show’s fulltime sports presenter.
Since, the lovable larrikin has made headlines for having a slip of the tongue when discussing Australian cricket captain Tim Paine’s 'bulging disc', clinging onto his desk during Melbourne’s earthquake, and most recently flipping out about Australia qualifying for the World Cup.
The Barranbinya man also made headlines regarding his strong anti-racism advocacy on the show, speaking out on the Black Lives Matter Movement and the “frustrating and disappointing” reality of racism in the AFL after the Taylor Walker scandal.
Mailman in Control
Renowned actress Deborah Mailman was nominated for Most Popular Actress for ABC drama Total Control. However, the title was taken by Kitty Flanagan for her role in ABC's Fisk.
The series sees Mailman as Alex Irving – an Aboriginal woman from regional Queensland who is thrown into the political spotlight after being handpicked for a Senate seat.
Total Control was nominated for Most Popular Drama Program, with Home and Away taking out the title - winning their 12th Logie.
Deborah Mailman attends the 62nd TV Week Logie Awards on June 19, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
Black talent on the red carpet
NITV and ABC's Little J and Big Cuz were nominated for Most Outstanding Children’s Program, but were beat out by ABC's Bluey.
NITV’s Incarceration Nation was nominated for Most Outstanding Factual or Documentary Program alongside ABC’s The Story of Bangarra and The School That Tried to End Racism.
The documentary took home the title, with NITV claiming their second logie.
The awards saw many Indigenous stars hit the red carpet, including actresses Leah Purcell, Rarriwuy Hick, Leonie Whyman, comedian Steph Tisdell and NITV's own Narelda Jacobs, Karla Grant, John Paul Janke and Natalie Ahmat.
Jessica Mauboy dazzled the crowd, performing her latest single Automatic.
Rarriwuy Hick attends the 62nd TV Week Logie Awards on June 19, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
Leah Purcell attends the 62nd TV Week Logie Awards on June 19, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
Jessica Mauboy attends the 62nd TV Week Logie Awards on June 19, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
