Bouncer's family will still sue Fatty Vautin despite brother's death
By Nick Walshaw and Holly Byrnes
June 18, 2008 12:00am
THE family of bouncer Greg Stacey offered their condolences to the Vautin clan yesterday - then promised to push ahead with legal action against The Footy Show presenter Paul Vautin.
While Vautin grieved the loss of his disabled brother Geoffrey in Brisbane, a case was being built against his on-air accusations that Mr Stacey, a benign epileptic, appeared "blind" drunk while working the door of Brisbane's Caxton Hotel on State of Origin night.
Read about Vautin's original 'slur'
Greg's father Peter Stacey confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that members of the Vautin family had phoned to apologise for comments made against his son.
And, while he conceded Vautin would probably not have made the comments had he known about the illness, he added: "But it's done now."
"We got a call from Vautin's mother explaining that her son Geoffrey was critically ill. But we haven't called them back because we didn't know what to say," Mr Stacey said.
"Our hearts go out to the family, particularly his mother, but that doesn't change what's happened to us and our son.
"It's going to be a hard time for Paul. I really do sympathise for him."
Vautin has apologised to the bouncer for his comments and was expected to repeat it during Thursday's airing of The Footy Show.
But when asked if the long-time host would front the program tomorrow night, a Channel 9 spokesman said: "We are respecting the privacy of the Vautin family as they grieve the loss of a son and brother. We will be in contact with Paul through the week."
Geoffrey Vautin, who had Down syndrome, died in a Brisbane care facility at 12.30am yesterday.
The death came only two days after he was dragged into the media storm over his brother's comments.
Vautin said he would never deliberately ridicule a disabled person - revealing that his own brother had Down syndrome.
In a statement released by his manager John Gibbs late yesterday, Vautin said his brother would be "sadly missed but always remembered".
"I am too upset and am grieving with my family to make further comment," he said.
"I would appreciate that you allow my family our private time."
It has been a tough week for Vautin and The Footy Show, with 2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley alleging segments ridiculing the disabled were often a deliberate aim of the show.
Hadley said "Street Talk" staff were often sent in search of "nuffies" - a claim Nine has rejected.
"They search around for homeless people, derelicts, alcoholics, people who look different," Hadley said.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23881326-5001021,00.html
