Ikin Quits Nine Commentary – More Interesting Than You'd Think

Ben Ikin has quit Channel 9 just hours before commentating the first State of Origin match.

No, wait, this is more interesting than you’d think, I swear.

From todays Brisbane Times (and reported by the lovely Georgina Robinson):

Ben Ikin’s Origin boycott
Georgina Robinson
June 3, 2009 – 3:28PM

Channel Nine has confirmed former Queensland rugby league star and regular Sunday Roast presenter Ben Ikin will not commentate on tonight’s State of Origin match in Melbourne.

It’s been reported that Ikin quit his regular commentating spot because Nine’s A Current Affair program will tonight air an investigation into a furniture business his father owns.

A Nine spokeswoman confirmed Ikin would not commentate on tonight’s Origin clash but would not say why, instead suggesting “you watch the program tonight”.

The incident follows the controversial sacking of Footy Show regular Matthew Johns last month following revelations of his involvement in a group sex scandal seven years ago.

By running this story with the knowledge that it will upset one of Channel 9′s key on-air identities, this may possibly prove that ACA does in fact have some level of journalistic integrity. The mind boggles.

Naturally Today Tonight will also be running a variation on this story tonight.