During the ABC’s New Year’s Eve broadcast on Wednesday, Tony Armstrong treated viewers to a risqué joke.

While presenting his 2025 Australian sports summary, the 36-year-old Logie recipient made a bold comedic remark.

As he kicked off the segment, Tony slipped in a peculiar nod to ‘sexting’ that caught attention.

“If you’ve ever received a DM from me, you’d know there’s something quite special about the brown snake,” Tony quipped.

He was quick to clarify his cheeky comment, explaining that he was actually alluding to the well-known Brisbane River, affectionately dubbed the brown snake.

‘I am of course talking about Brissy,’ he said.

Tony Armstrong (pictured) delivered an X–rated gag during the ABC’s New Year’s Eve coverage on Wednesday

The Logie winner, 36, was presenting his 2025 Aussie sport wrap–up, when he dropped the eyebrow–raising quip

‘Brisbane. Brisvegas. The land of the small blue dog,’ he said referencing beloved children’s character Bluey.

He proceeded to deliver a Brisbane-centric sports wrap, before declaring one of Queensland’s favourite sons as the year’s biggest loser.

‘And in the biggest, and most upsetting loss of the year, the cowboy from Caboolture Keith Urban lost Nicole Kidman,’ he said.

‘That’s a tough loss. There are plenty of other trophies, but there’s just one Nicole.’        

Viewers had a lot to say about the ABC’s annual New Year’s Eve coverage on Wednesday night.

As Australia rang in 2026, the government-funded broadcaster wheeled out a series of heritage acts to take the stage for the concert portion of the telecast.

Kicking off the festivities was 2000s band The Cat Empire, with Casey Donovan and Peach PRC performing, while Spice Girls star Mel C headlined the festivities.

But it was the decision to feature the stars of children’s program Play School performing a medley of kids’ tracks for the show’s 60th anniversary – including Wiggle Wiggly Woo and the show’s jaunty theme song – close to 10pm that sparked the most ire.

‘If you’ve ever received a DM from me, you know there’s something pretty special about the brown snake,’ he said

Tony was quick to qualify his risqué joke by revealing he was in fact referring to the iconic BrisbaneRiver, which is known colloquially as the brown snake. ‘I am of course talking about Brissy,’ he said

‘It’s 9.45pm – why on earth is Play School on #ABCNYE – it’s so bizarre. The kiddies are already in bed!’ wrote one person on X.

Another said: ‘Okay enough is enough. We’re switching this crap off. Pity to miss Casey but I can’t take this crap anymore.’

‘I think we need to defund the sillies out,’ one more chimed in, with another writing, ‘Are you serious? Play School?? WTF.’

‘I am sad… this is cringe. It’s 9:42pm and we have to listen to kids’ songs. Just some good old fashioned rock tunes to bring in the new year please,’ someone else posted.

One more questioned: ‘Why didn’t they do this before the 9pm fireworks?’

‘How do #abcnye manage to get artists to play the most boring unsuitable songs for a #NYE event every feckin’ year?’ a viewer complained.

‘Have the organisers never been to a decent party in their life? Every year it gets worse.’

‘This kids’ section needed to be on before 9pm. They’re all in bed now, and no–one is pissed enough for this,’ one more said.

There was scorn for the Cat Empire, too, with many pointing out that the line–up was reminiscent of a time gone by.

‘Mel C, Casey Donovan and the Cat Empire, so glad I’ve tuned into 2002 NYE on ABC,’ said one viewer.