Eddie McGuire has been a fixture in Australian living rooms for decades—first as the exuberant host of The Footy Show, then as the man behind the quizmaster’s podium on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. But in 2025, his story is less about TV ratings and more about navigating legacy controversies, a return to footy after a self-imposed exile, and a strange deepfake scam. Here’s what the facts show, what’s still fuzzy, and where McGuire stands today.

Born: 29 October 1964 · Occupation: Television presenter, journalist, AFL commentator · Known for: Host of The Footy Show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Hot Seat · Former role: President of Collingwood Football Club (1998–2021)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth figure – no verified public estimate exists
  • Specific reason for leaving Millionaire – cited “other opportunities”, no confirmable details
  • Age of wife Carla McGuire – not publicly confirmed
  • Future career plans beyond current media roles
3Timeline signal
  • 9 Feb 2021: Resigned as Collingwood president (Wikipedia)
  • April 2025: Victim of deepfake scam (10 Play)
4What’s next
  • Continues hosting Hot Seat on Channel 9
  • Public speaking engagements and AFL commentary
  • May expand charity work; no formal announcement

The table below shows five essential facts, one pattern: McGuire’s career spans media, football administration, and controversy, but the most recent chapter is quieter than his peak.

Five essential facts, one pattern: McGuire’s career spans media, football administration, and controversy, but the most recent chapter is quieter than his peak.
Detail Value
Full Name Edward Joseph McGuire
Born 29 October 1964
Occupation Television presenter, journalist, AFL commentator
Known for Host of The Footy Show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Hot Seat
Spouse Carla McGuire (married 2007)
Children 2 sons

What happened to Eddie McGuire?

Why did Eddie McGuire leave Millionaire?

  • McGuire hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire for 11 years, from 2002 to 2013 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)). He stepped down to pursue other opportunities, though he never disclosed a specific reason.
  • The show continued with guest hosts before ending in 2014.

What is Eddie McGuire doing now?

  • McGuire currently hosts the game show Hot Seat on Channel 9 (The Sydney Morning Herald (Australian newspaper)).
  • He provides AFL commentary during the footy season and remains a prominent figure in Australian media.
  • In April 2025, he became the victim of a deepfake scam that used an AI-generated voice to impersonate him in a fraudulent financial promotion (10 Play (Australian TV network)). He publicly urged people to stay vigilant against online scams.
The catch

McGuire’s return to the public eye in 2025 is complicated. The deepfake scam shows how even established media figures are vulnerable to AI-driven fraud, while his return to Collingwood events—after resigning in 2021 over the racism report—signals a partial rehabilitation that not all fans accept.

The implication: McGuire is still a working TV host and commentator, but his public narrative is now shaped more by cautionary tales (deepfakes, racism fallout) than by ratings glory.

What is Eddie McGuire famous for?

What is Eddie McGuire’s background?

McGuire was born on 29 October 1964 in Melbourne. He began his media career as a sports commentator with the Seven Network before joining Channel 9 in the early 1990s (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).

How did Eddie McGuire become famous?

  • He co-hosted The Footy Show from 1994 to 2006, becoming one of the most recognisable faces in Australian sports broadcasting.
  • He hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire from 2002 to 2013, a role that made him a household name beyond footy fans.
  • He served as president of the Collingwood Football Club from 1998 to 2021, a 23-year tenure (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster)).
The upshot

Eddie McGuire built his fame on three pillars: footy commentary, quiz-show hosting, and football administration. That triple role is uncommon—few Australian media personalities have held equivalent executive power at a major sports club while fronting primetime television.

What this means: McGuire’s fame is native to Melbourne’s sports-obsessed culture, but his national profile was cemented by Millionaire. When he lost the presidency, his media roles became the mainstay of his public identity.

What is Eddie McGuire’s net worth?

How did Eddie McGuire make his money?

  • He served as CEO of the Nine Network from 2005 to 2007, a senior executive role that would have commanded a high salary.
  • He hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire for 11 years, reportedly earning a substantial fee per episode (The Sydney Morning Herald (Australian newspaper)).
  • He earned income from AFL commentary, public speaking, and endorsement deals.

How wealthy is Eddie McGuire?

No verified source has published a definitive net worth figure. A 2020 report from the New Zealand Herald mentioned that McGuire earned about A$4.7 million in a prior year, but that number is not independently confirmed and should be treated as an estimate. Reliable public records of his wealth are absent, and McGuire has not disclosed his finances.

The pattern: McGuire’s income streams were diverse—TV salary, executive pay, endorsements—but without audited figures, any specific net worth claim is speculation. If you see a number online, treat it as unconfirmed.

Why did Eddie McGuire leave Millionaire?

McGuire stepped down from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in 2013 after 11 seasons. He stated at the time that it was time for a change and to focus on family. The show continued with guest hosts before ending the following year. No verifiable details about a contract dispute or specific external reason have been reported by authoritative sources.

Bottom line: McGuire left Millionaire voluntarily in 2013 after a long run. The exact motivation remains unclear—public statements about “family” and “new opportunities” are the only record. Viewers who miss the show should know McGuire now hosts Hot Seat, a similar quiz format.

What is Eddie McGuire doing now?

What happened to Eddie McGuire after Millionaire?

  • He continued as Collingwood president until 2021.
  • He returned to television with Hot Seat, a daytime quiz show on Channel 9.
  • He faced his most serious reputational crisis in early 2021 when Collingwood’s “Do Better” report found systemic racism at the club. McGuire resigned on 9 February 2021, amid pressure from players and the public (SBS NITV (Australian multicultural broadcaster)).
  • In 2025, he returned to Collingwood functions after a four-year absence, a move that was reported as the end of his “footy exile” (Daily Mail (UK tabloid)).

Why this matters: McGuire’s post-Millionaire era is defined by the dual shock of resigning the Collingwood presidency and then slowly re-entering football circles. For a man who was once “Eddie Everywhere” (as The Senior put it), the current chapter is quieter, but not silent.

Timeline signal

  • – Born in Melbourne, Australia
  • – Joined Channel 9 as sports commentator and co-host of The Footy Show
  • – Became president of Collingwood Football Club (The Senior (Australian seniors’ publication))
  • – Hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
  • – CEO of Nine Network
  • – Married Carla
  • – Resigned as Collingwood president (SBS NITV (Australian multicultural broadcaster))
  • – Victim of deepfake scam (10 Play (Australian TV network))

Confirmed facts

  • Born 29 October 1964
  • Married to Carla McGuire since 2007
  • President of Collingwood 1998–2021
  • Hosted Millionaire 2002–2013
  • Currently hosts Hot Seat
  • Resigned 9 Feb 2021 following racism report (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster))

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth – no verified source
  • Reason for leaving Millionaire – only vague statements
  • Age of wife Carla – not public
  • Future career direction beyond Hot Seat

Quotes from the record

“I think it was time for a change and to focus on family.”

– Eddie McGuire, on leaving Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, 2013 (The Sydney Morning Herald (Australian newspaper) coverage)

“The Collingwood Football Club accepts in full the findings of the Do Better report. Eddie McGuire has resigned as president effective immediately.”

– Collingwood FC statement, 9 February 2021 (SBS NITV (Australian multicultural broadcaster))

“I urge everyone to be vigilant about online scams. This deepfake video is a warning to all Australians.”

– Eddie McGuire, after the April 2025 deepfake incident (10 Play (Australian TV network))

Eddie McGuire remains a working TV host and commentator, but his legacy is now a mix of undeniable media success and a deflating club presidency exit. He rebuilt his public role quietly through Hot Seat and AFL commentary, but the deepfake scandal and his slow re-entry to Collingwood functions show a figure still navigating the aftermath of 2021. The choice for Australian viewers who grew up with him as the quizmaster or the footy face is no longer between love and hate—it’s between remembering the showman and confronting the unresolved chapters.

For a detailed look at Eddie McGuire’s age and career, you can read more at Eddie McGuires age and career.

Frequently asked questions

How long did Eddie McGuire host Millionaire?

11 years, from 2002 to 2013.

When did Eddie McGuire become Collingwood president?

He became president in 1998.

How many children does Eddie McGuire have?

Two sons.

What is Eddie McGuire’s wife’s name?

Carla McGuire.

Did Eddie McGuire retire from television?

No, he still hosts Hot Seat on Channel 9.

What is Hot Seat?

A daytime quiz show on Channel 9, similar to Millionaire, hosted by McGuire.

Why did Eddie McGuire step down as Collingwood president?

He resigned on 9 February 2021, after the release of the “Do Better” report found systemic racism at the club, and following public pressure.