TV break for pin-up Hayley
STEVE HOPKINS - Sunday News | Sunday, 25 January 2009
FROM centrefold to centre screen former Penthouse Pet Hayley-Marie Byrnes has got her foot in the television door, scoring a job on Aussie hit The Footy Show.
Hayley-Marie, who moved to Sydney two years ago with the hope of landing a presenting role, told Sunday News getting a job on the Sydney-based NRL show was a dream come true.
"I've been watching The Footy Show since I was 15 and I've always wanted to work on it," Hayley-Marie said.
"I love everything about it. I just love the boys. I just really want to be involved.
"The whole reason I moved to Australia was to pursue my TV career because obviously, unfortunately, there's more opportunities in Sydney, and in Australia, because they have more networks."
Hayley-Marie, who used to date Kiwi porn baron Steve Crow, will work behind-the-scenes producing The Footy Show.
But the 28-year-old said the network that screens the show Channel 9 were "well aware" she wanted to be on the other side of the camera.
"They know it's what I want to do," the former Ralph and FHM covergirl said.
"There's no promises that I'll eventually be able to do that (present). So I don't want to say I'm going to be definitely doing that, but that's the hope.
"Hopefully I'll be making my Australian (TV) debut soon enough."
Hayley-Marie the first Kiwi covergirl in Penthouse magazines 25-year history said she "hasn't looked back" since crossing the ditch.
"I came home last year to see the Warriors play the Roosters but that's the only thing I'll come back for," she said.
"I've always wanted to work over this way (in Australia) because there's more opportunities and there's more money to be made."
But despite changing countries, Hayley-Marie hasn't changed the team she backs.
"Anyone that knows me knows it's all about the Warriors and not to mess with me about them," she said.
Since arriving in Sydney, the 2004 Celebrity Treasure Island star has worked as an editorial assistant at Woman's Day magazine and for radio station Nova.
She's also spent time in France with her boyfriend, former Australian sevens representative and current Western Force wing/fullback Gavin DeBartolo while he played for French rugby side La Rochelle.
Hayley-Marie told Sunday News once she managed to get on screen with Channel 9 she hoped to land jobs with either ESPN or Fox Sports.
