Tony Armstrong terrified after on-air stunt: 'Thought I was going to die'

ABC News Breakfast’s sports presenter Tony Armstrong was left frightened on Monday morning after the show’s host Michael Rowland had a sudden burst of energy at the news desk.

The panel were discussing the fact that the Western Bulldogs, Michael’s favourite team, had recently landed a spot in next month’s AFL Finals.

“I’m just keeping a lid on things, I’m pretty calm,” the veteran journalist remarked.

He couldn’t contain his excitement for long, however, and quickly leapt at Tony with both arms while screaming.

“We’re in! We’re in!” Michael exclaimed while grabbing at Tony’s arm and dancing in his chair.

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Michael’s co-host Lisa Miller was clearly surprised by the sudden movement and jumped up from her chair, while Tony also let out a yell of terror followed by enormous laughter.

“You genuinely scared me,” he cackled. “I thought I was going to die!

“It’s 6:12am, I don’t need that! Who needs coffee?!”

Michael then said he wouldn’t do it again, before taking a deep breath and calming down.

‘So funny’

The breakfast TV show later posted the clip on social media alongside the caption: “[Tony]’s life just flashed before his eyes!

“Excited would be an understatement for how [Michael] is feeling about [the Western Bulldogs] making finals!”

A number of viewers then took to the comments to share their thoughts on the hilarious interaction, with one person calling the video “so funny”.

“The look on your face Tony is priceless buddy,” another added, while a third replied, “That is way too much energy for 6:12am on a Monday”.

“I think Michael's reaction was totally normal actually! Why was everyone so freaked out,” someone else wrote.

Tony also retweeted the video, telling Michael to “sleep with one eye open” from now on.

Tony’s on-air fail

The incident comes just a few weeks after Tony walked out of the News Breakfast studio live on-air after an attempt to learn an Irish dance ended in a massive fail.

The AFL player tested his athletic skills during a segment about the Eireborne Irish dancing tour and was encouraged by Michael to do a high kick.

To impress those in the studio, Tony then did a short run-up before jumping in a high kick but didn’t quite nail the landing.

Instead, he stumbled and ran off set as the hosts laughed, before expressing concern as Tony joked he'd injured his hamstring.

“Can we get a physio to the studio please,” co-host Catherine Murphy said. “I really hope this doesn't affect his football career.”

Michael then thought it may have been too soon to joke, saying, “I really think he did do his hammy… He’s limped out of the studio.”

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