Concerns are growing for Channel Nine star Peter Overton, who has been off the air for over a week after a “nasty” fall left him hospitalised.

Concerns are escalating for long-time Channel Nine newsreader Peter Overton, who has disappeared from the bulletin for more than a week following a serious fall at home.

The much-loved presenter, 59, has not been on air since early November, and Nine is yet to offer any on-the-record explanation for the absence of one of its highest-paid news anchors.

It was Overton’s wife, media personality Jessica Rowe, who first shed light on the situation. On November 8, she posted a selfie from hospital, describing a “nasty fall” that left her husband with significant injuries.

Peter Overton and Jessica Rowe. Picture: John Appleyard

“Never a dull moment in our house! What with Allegra finishing her HSC & the chaos that can be daily life- Petee recently had a nasty fall at home, badly injuring his wrist,” she wrote.

“He has had a four-hour operation which involved a bone graft, 3 metal plates and various screws.

“He’s now under strict instructions to rest & recover.”

 

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A post shared by Jessica Rowe (@jessjrowe)

However, a separate account of the incident has sparked further curiosity within the network.

An insider told news.com.au that Overton reportedly informed Nine executives he had fallen while helping unload solar panels from the back of a ute, and also suffered a concussion.

The conflicting details, combined with Nine’s alleged refusal to comment, have raised eyebrows among viewers and even within the newsroom.

The much-loved presenter has not been on air for over a week. Picture: 9Now

A network insider told Woman’s Day they were surprised by the silence, saying, “For Nine to not respond to countless media enquiries about one of their highest paid stars is in itself attracting plenty of suspicion.”

“What remains a mystery is whether the rumours are true- that the fall was so serious he sustained a suspected concussion, and underwent a gruelling 4 hour arm surgery which suggests it was a very serious fall.”

A second Nine source told the magazine that colleagues “simply want Pete healthy and rested” but admitted there was “curiosity, and perhaps a little confusion” surrounding the lack of communication.

 

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A post shared by Jessica Rowe (@jessjrowe)

The concerns come just months after Overton underwent surgery to remove a polyp from one of his vocal cords- an update Rowe also shared publicly.

“As you know, Petee doesn’t do Insta- and he wanted me to share some news with you,” she wrote in January.

“He’s off work for a little longer at the moment after an ENT surgeon discovered a polyp on one of his vocal cords which explains his very raspy voice over the holidays!

“He was operated on and part of his recovery is no talking for now (which is a HUGE challenge for him!!)”

 

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A post shared by Jessica Rowe (@jessjrowe)

The presenter also had hip replacement surgery last year.

It remains unclear when Overton will return to the news desk, but Rowe has hinted the break won’t be brief.

“It will be some time,” she said,  adding that her husband “can’t wait to return!”