Matty McLean Eras Week: Jack Tame presents famed early moments

December 11, 2023

From his first live cross to jumping the fence at Premier House, here are the best moments from the Breakfast host's early days in television. (Source: Breakfast)

It's Matty McLean's last week on Breakfast after seven years as host. Q+A presenter and one of Matt's best mates Jack Tame appeared on the show this morning to introduce some of the most memorable moments from early in his old friend's career.

"Can I just say, only Matty would get a farewell tour," Tame laughed. "In 30 years of Breakfast, only Matty gets a farewell tour."

Tame started with McLean's first live cross in 2007.

"It was a simpler time and the standards for getting on television were much, much lower," he joked.

McLean's debut on Kiwi screens marked David Beckham's arrival in New Zealand to play for LA Galaxy against the Wellington Phoenix.

The live cross saw then-host Paul Henry urge a young McLean to sing Victoria by the Dance Exponents, a nod to Beckham's wife.

"That was brilliant," Henry said – although he'd apparently forgotten McLean's name.

"We'll probably not see you on air again," Henry joked. "But still, it was well worth the effort."

Next up was the time McLean jumped the fence of the Prime Minister's official residence in Wellington.

Matty McLean is saying goodbye to Breakfast after a memorable stint on the show.

Henry urged McLean to "scurry over" while Pippa Wetzell said twice: "No, Matty."

"Go on, give it a go!" Henry insisted. "Quick, off you go! Quick!"

Over McLean went. Shortly after, a police officer appeared and scolded the young reporter.

"You were up for doing almost anything, whether right or wrong... in the interests of the audience," Tame laughed.

"I just didn't really think about the repercussions," McLean admitted.

"This show just means the world to me," he added.

Watch the clip at the top of the page to revisit some early moments from Matty's time on Breakfast.

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