Early last week we heard a rumour that current affairs stalwart Paul Holmes had been diagnosed with terminal congenital heart failure and had been given only weeks to live. Rumors like this about people you have a great deal of respect for are quite upsetting so we set about to try and confirm if it was true or not. Neither TVNZ, Q&A producer Tim Watkin or Paul Holmes’ wife Deborah, who we spoke to, would talk to us about it.
This past Sunday, Paul Holmes appeared on Q+A looking and sounding rather unwell in a pre-recorded interview with Kim Dotcom. The interview had apparently been recorded on Friday and came after he had been off work and hospitalised once again at the beginning of the month after open heart surgery in June. He has not been back at work on his radio show or Q+A since the end of October. While there were many reports of his hospitalisation, there have been none saying he’s been discharged.
Paul thrives on the big interviews but this time he lacked his usual energy. However, he still got a very big soundbite to add to his extensive legacy of famous interviews: Kim Dotcom accused the Prime Minister of lying and saying he had proof to back it up in court.
On the 25th of October, an expensive, star studded surprise party for Holmes was hosted and paid for by SkyCity. The event, hosted by John Hawkesby celebrated his work and included a video accolade from Prime Minister John Key. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark also sent one as well but it did not arrive in time.
We sincerely hope that there is no truth to this and hope someone can put this rumor, which is circulating, to rest.
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