A lawn mowing boss has accused Sky News host Peter Stefanovic of ruining a champion fisherman’s moment of fame after discussing his dark past on live television.
Keegan Payne, 19, made headlines in Australia last Sunday after catching a barramundi worth $1 million in Katherine, 317km south of Darwin.
His prized catch was part of a million-dollar angling contest that lasted nine years.
However, his celebrations were cut short during a stern interview with Stefanovic on Wednesday morning.
The Sky News host bluntly asked if there was any truth to rumors that Keegan stole an all-terrain vehicle and quad bike from his ex-employer Bob Cavanagh.
In a stunning admission, Keegan said the allegation was true – and offered his sincere apologies to his former boss.
The segment sparked outrage from viewers who demanded Stefanovic’s resignation, prompting the Sky News host to issue a groveling apology.
Mr Cavanagh told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday that Keegan deserved an apology and had no ill will towards the former Cav’s Mowing employee.
Former Mr Payne’s Bob Cavanagh from Cav’s Mowing in the Northern Territory – revealed Keegan Payne, 19, deserved an apology from Sky News journalist Peter Stefanovic
Peter Stefanovic has contacted Mr. Payne and his family to directly apologize for the difficult interview.
“He’s a good boy who made a mistake,” Mr Cavanagh said.
“What was supposed to be a moment of celebration was stolen from him. I’m glad he (Stefanovic) apologized to Keegan, he deserved that apology.
Mr Cavanagh, who now lives in Queensland, said that, like Keegan, Stefanovic had probably learned a valuable lesson.
“We all make mistakes and I bet he regrets it,” he said.
“The fact that he came out and apologized to Keegan and his family, I think he realized he crossed the line.”
In the days after his $1 million win last week, Keegan contacted his former boss and offered to reimburse him for the stolen vehicles.
“Out of the blue this morning his dad called me and said, ‘Keegan wants to pay you back,’ and you could have knocked me over with a feather,” Mr Cavanagh said.
“He said Keegan always felt terrible about what he did.”
Mr Cavanagh said the teenager, who was just 15 at the time, apologized for what he and two others had done to his property.
“We had some pretty big contracts that we needed to take care of and I asked him: How are we going to do this now?
“It was about showing the consequences (of what) they had done. Keegan felt terrible, you know.
Keegan and his friend agreed to work for Mr Cavanagh on weekends to repay him for the damage they caused, but the plan fell through after two weekends due to a lull in business.
“He ended up being like a janitor in a nursing home,” Mr. Cavanagh said.
“I saw him again eight to 12 months later and he still couldn’t look at me, he was so ashamed of what he had done.”
Teenager offered to pay back former boss Bob Cavanagh after stealing two vehicles
Keegan Payne (pictured) won $1 million by hooking a 67cm barramundi at a fishing competition in the Northern Territory.
In the days following the interview, Sky News and Stefanovic were forced to issue apologies.
“On Wednesday 1 May 2024, Sky News Australia broadcast a live interview with Keegan Payne by Peter Stefanovic on First Edition,” the apology posted on the Sky News website said.
“The interview was about Mr Payne winning the Northern Territory million dollar fish competition.
“During the interview, Mr. Stefanovic asked Mr. Payne about allegations that he was involved in the theft of a Polaris Ranger and a Polaris Quad from his former employer in 2021.
Mr Payne confirmed the claims and apologized on air to his former employer. Mr Payne’s former employer later told Sky News Australia he had not made a police complaint and that he had accepted Mr Payne’s apology.
“Sky News Australia and Peter Stefanovic apologize to Mr Payne and his family for raising these claims during the live interview about his $1 million fishing competition win.
“Mr Stefanovic has contacted Mr Payne and his family directly to apologize.”
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