I was sad to read that he was retiring his 'Rove' show. I loved it and caught it most Sunday's.Rove eyes American TV career
The Daily Telegraph November 17, 2009 08:56am
The Gold Logie winner stunned fans and surprised industry colleagues during Sunday night's season finale by announcing the program would end for good after a decade on air.
While the shock decision sparked a flurry of speculation about his future, a spokesman for the star said "he was not doing radio," despite being linked to Nova's new breakfast line-up next year.
A spokeswoman for McManus declined interview requests yesterday, but said of a possible return to chasing a US gig: "everything is up for grabs."
McManus and his on-air sidekick Peter Helliar reportedly tested alongside Merrick Watts, who will remain with DMG after his comedy partner Tim Ross and actress Kate Ritchie decided to leave their show.
Last week Nova sources said the belt-tightening network were likely to sign McManus or Helliar, with the latter now firming for the role.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, a regular on the Channel 10 program, wished McManus well as he moved on to pursue new projects.
"After 10 good years his show will be missed by many and I am sure that in whatever he chooses to do next, he will continue his fine tradition of doing it well," Mr Rudd said.
While the PM used the program to connect with younger voters, audience figures had softened dramatically this year - with the farewell drawing just 760,000 nationally.
Despite statements denying any acrimony between the show and Ten executives, its dwindling ratings were expected to force the hand of network programmers, who enjoyed a happy relationship with
McManus, but not always his production company, Roving Enterprises.
The popular presenter is understood to have irked some in Ten management with his live farewell speech, in which he complained he had never wanted the program scheduled on a Sunday night.
It was moved from its original Tuesday timeslot to the weekend prime-time in 2007, when McManus returned from bereavement leave after the death of first wife, Belinda Emmett.
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,26360909-10229,00.html 
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