Paul Vautin's TV career in pictures: Why Fatty and Sterlo couldn't be trusted during rugby league coverage
Farewell to an icon
Paul Vautin has announced his retirement from Channel 9 after 33 years at the network.
Wide World of Sports takes a look back at his career and the funniest moments that make Fatty the legend he is.
Scroll on for a walk down memory lane.
Born for TV
Paul Vautin made his commentary debut in 1988 for the NSWRL grand final with the ABC.
When Nine secured the rights to the NRL in 1992, he joined the broadcast.
The dynamic duo
Paul Vautin and Peter Sterling were two pioneers for Channel 9's broadcast.
Both men were there in 1992 when Nine's NRL coverage started.
When paying tribute to Sterling three years ago, Vautin revealed one secret about the analysis both men used to do.
"They were never live, because they couldn't trust us," he said.
"So funny."
Calling with the GOAT
Ray Warren and Paul Vautin shared a special relationship on Channel 9's broadcast.
Warren was the iconic caller while Vautin provided analysis and plenty of light-hearted entertainment for the audience.
When Warren retired in 2022, Vautin told an iconic story about his great mate.
"Rabs was the ground announcer at the Hawkesbury races this day. He did love a punt," Vautin said on 4BC's Wide World of Sports radio.
"Kenny Callander tells a story.
"He found him wandering around in the ring, and the race was very close. He was watching Rabs and he says, 'Rabs, what are you doing?'. (Warren) says, 'Mate, I'm trying to get 5-2 (odds) this favourite, I can't find it anywhere. It's 9-4 and I'm trying to get 5-2'.
"(Callander) goes, 'Well, I've got some news for you, Rabs', and (Warren) says, 'What's that, Kenny?'... he said, 'They've jumped'.
"Luckily for him it was a 2000-metre race. So he sprints back up to the box, nearly has a heart attack. The race is on and no one can hear anything. They're looking up at the grandstand, looking up at the (caller's) box going, 'What's happened here?'. Then Rabs, too smart – he starts tapping the microphone. Tap, tap, tap, tap. (He says), 'Oh yes, we're back working, we're back on air, ladies and gentlemen, as they come round the turn'.
"Mate, he never missed a beat down the straight and nailed it. The people had no idea he was down in the ring trying to back the favourite.
"Golden. Too good."
A long history
The Footy Show withstood plenty of changes in rugby league.
Here the panel of Paul Vautin, Peter Sterling, Allan Langer and Steve 'Blocker' Roach go through a show in 1997 when the Super League war was going on.
Class of 1998
Steve 'Blocker' Roach, Peter Sterling, Paul Vautin and Ray Hadley were all part of The Footy Show in 1998.
Vautin was host from 1994 alongside Sterling, Roach and Hadley.
Sterling's time on the show ended in 2006 before he made a return for a one-year stint in 2010.
Roach was a co-host until 1999 while Hadley was on until 1996 and returned in 1998.
The famous Anti-Ad
Peter Sterling and Paul Vautin combined for some hilarious Anti-Ads on The Footy Show.
The yo-Splat ad was one of the best.
That's gold
Paul 'The Chief' Harragon started on The Footy Show in 2001.
Peter Sterling, Harragon and Paul Vautin combined for some of the glory years of the show.
Harragon's 'That's Gold' segment was immensely popular and is still used a try celebration.
Award winner
Matty Johns and Paul Vautin pose with another Logie Award for the 51st TV Week Logie Awards in 2009.
