Deaker a good friend to Veitch

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NO ONE wants to see Tony Veitch crucified if he isn't guilty.

The thought of an innocent man being driven to suicide attempts upsets very many people.

And that is what motivated Murray Deaker to take him on as a panellist on his Sky Sport 2 show Deaker on Sport.

"But what if Veitch is convicted? We have no idea what the trial will bring out," I said.

He said he hadn't even thought about the trial when he made Veitch the offer. He was out of the country when the scandal broke. He wouldn't entertain the idea that anything beyond Veitch's present wellbeing was an issue.

Deaker would not be drawn further except to say that even if Veitch were convicted, he still thinks he is doing the right thing.

And it's not like Veitch is getting anything like a fulltime job. He will be on a panel and will do a few shows this year.

Deaker is hoping another show will give him some work too.

"[Veitch] has limited skills to work elsewhere and, let me tell you, we have a limited pool of talented broadcasters in this country," Deaker said. (Ain't that the truth!)

As for Veitch, he was telling friends before Wednesday night's show that after what he had been through, he wasn't sure he would be able to do it. As it panned out, Veitch was fine, though clearly a bit nervous. A bit hairier than usual and more tanned, he was still quite chirpy and held his own. His entire old life must seem like a memory now. Even his Herne Bay house has been sold.

- © Fairfax NZ News