Henry's secret test show

Paul Henry. Photo / Jeff Brass

Paul Henry has filmed a test show for a new high-profile television slot, before a live studio audience sworn to secrecy.

The high-rating Breakfast show returns to our screens tomorrow morning, but Paul Henry won't be joining Pippa Wetzell on the couch - at least, not for another six weeks.

The controversial presenter had 60-plus days of accrued leave, so will remain on holiday until March, said spokeswoman Andi Brotherston.

US correspondent Tim Wilson will be filling in for him.

The morning show has soared in the ratings, despite (or perhaps, because of) controversy when Henry commented on a Greenpeace spokeswoman's moustache, and called Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle "retarded".

The show's average daily viewership increased from 108,000 in January to 157,000 in December, putting Henry in a strong position to push for a promotion.

Anthony Flannery, the head of news and current affairs, said yesterday that he was "enormously proud" of the increase - almost 50 per cent.

"All the credit goes to the Breakfast team for their commitment and huge effort they put in morning after morning."

Rumours had been circulating that the state broadcaster was lining up Henry to host a new 5.30pm show, though neither Brotherston nor Henry would confirm that.

"I haven't got any career plans for this year," said Henry. "As far as I'm concerned it will just be another normal year. I don't know what plans they [TVNZ] have."

Asked if he would be interested in doing a 5.30 show, Henry said: "It would be very expensive.

"You could only do it properly if you spent a lot of money on it, and I certainly wouldn't be interested in doing it unless it was done properly.

"Whether I'm interested in doing it or not is neither here nor there because much greater minds are at work on programmes," he went on to say.

"But as far as I am concerned there's no prospect of a 5.30 show."

Brotherston said TVNZ filmed a test show late last year, but she wouldn't say whether it was a pilot for a 5.30pm show.

"There were no specifics on slot time or format."

Even that admission is a big development: a few months ago, TVNZ vehemently denied considering moving Henry to a new show.

Last year, Henry had made no secret of his desire to front Close Up, currently hosted by Mark Sainsbury, but he now appears to have given up hope on that plum job. "I'm not hanging out for Close Up," said Henry. "I've worked my way through that. I imagine I will never do Close Up."

Meanwhile, Bernadine Oliver-Kerby returns to TVNZ tomorrow to co-present One News with Simon Dallow. She returns from maternity leave to fill in for Wendy Petrie, who is expecting her third child.