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Fitzy breaks down on air in tribute to his dad on The Project

Former AFL star Fitzy teared up in an emotional segment on The Project on Wednesday night. Photo: Ten
Former AFL star Fitzy teared up in an emotional segment on The Project on Wednesday night. Photo: Ten

He is best known as one half of blokey radio duo Fitzy and Wippa, but Ryan Fitzgerald isn’t afraid to show let his emotions show and shed a tear or two live on air.

The media personality did just that while hosting The Project alongside Waleed Aly, Carrie Bickmore and Peter Helliar on Wednesday night, when a touching letter to his dad saw him visibly tear up and struggle to keep going

“We don’t talk about this stuff and feelings and stuff like that so I wrote it down and I read it out...” he told co-host Carrie Bickmore.

Emotional letter to dad Mick

In the taped segment the former AFL star addressed his father Mick Fitzgerald as his mentor, and fought back tears as the message got profound.

“I just wanted to tell you what you mean to me,” he said. “Apart from being my father, you’ve been my biggest mentor, and I want to thank you sir.”

“I love you mate and dad let’s do this a bit more often.”

The touching tribute saw the host audibly choke up, and pause for a deep breath.

His father was sitting in the audience and the two shared a special moment, with the proud dad admitting he found the whole thing ‘very emotional’ and hoped to share conversations like it more often.

Fitzy's dad Mick listened from the audience and told Peter Helliar it was 'very emotional'. Photo: Ten
Fitzy's dad Mick listened from the audience and told Peter Helliar it was 'very emotional'. Photo: Ten

The host followed up the sweet moment by discussing the program on radio this morning.

He also jokingly admitted he had pulled one over on his poor dad, not telling him he would be live on air until five minutes beforehand, but Mick was more than happy to rise to the occasion.

Heartwarming response on Twitter

Shared to Twitter, the clip sparked an astonishing response from viewers who expressed their gratitude for such an open display.

“You're a deadset legend (Fitzy). Your letter reminded me of how much my late step father was a mentor to me. Kudos,” one man wrote.

“You’re a champion,” another shared.

“What a gorgeous thing to do Fitz, God I hope more blokes see that's it's fine to show a emotions in this way, everyone wins (sic),” wrote a third.

The host has thrown his weight behind the program known as Raise, in an attempt to raise awareness around the importance of young people having solid, reliable mentors.

The Project hosts are known for wearing their hearts on their sleeves. Last month Peter Helliar moved viewers with a touching tribute to his late friend in which he teared up, leading to a similar reception from viewers.

MensLine Australia recommends forging close personal relationships, and openly talking about and discussing emotions as key actions that promote and maintain mental health.

The more we see typical Aussie men doing so the more normalised it becomes.

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