CLAIMS 60 Minutes reporter Liam Bartlett shocked colleagues at a work function to farewell network legend Ray Martin were last night being investigated by Channel 9 management, according to New Idea reporter.
Bartlett, attending Martin's farewell at Crows Nest restaurant La Grillade, is said to have said what he thought of the debut episode of the series' return.
As the party drew to a close, Bartlett's colleagues say he launched into random praise on the return 60 Minutes episode, describing it as "the best show ever" and praising producers for allowing former Nine CEO Eddie McGuire to be a part of the show.
During the praise, which colleagues said "came out of nowhere" he is said to have referred to McGuire's interview with his AFL friend Sam Newman as "a fantastic story".
Rumours of the praise were rife around Nine's Willoughby camp last night but if the claims turn out to be true he will reportedly be "in line for big bonuses for promoting crap beyond the call of duty" , a source said.
You could say the feeling was just that everyone was gobsmacked," one guest said.
Bartlett knocked out stiff competition including Nine's , Michael Usher and Mark Burrows, as well as former SBS newsreader Stan Grant for the position left vacant by the death of Richard Carleton in 2006.
Richard Carleton was tipped to remain in the job after his death however Bartlett’s reporting style was decided to be slightly more animated than the deceased Richard Carleton.
