Checking up on each other: MARK & DUNCAN'S MAN TROUBLES

THE CO-PRESENTERS REACHED OUT IN THEIR TIMES OF CRISIS

- Marilynn McLachlan

They’re two of TV’s best-known faces, fronting up to the nation each morning, often bantering and seemingly a picture of health. But behind the dad jokes and quips that come with presenting The AM Show, hosts Duncan Garner and Mark Richardson have had to confront some personal health and wellbeing issues this year.

Now the pair are opening up and revealing a bond that has helped them get through what has been an unquestionably tough year.

For Mark, a melanoma scare has given him a new perspective and approach to life. The former Black Caps cricket star – now on the cusp of his own personal half-century – receives a fair bit of ribbing about his looks, including from Duncan, but he admits he hasn’t always taken care of himself.

“I’ve never wanted to be seen as someone who is vain,” Mark explains, as the pair sit down to lunch at Auckland restaurant Ahi for a chat with the Weekly. “Which is why I hate it when people think I put fake tan on or that I did my teeth for the look. Because I didn’t, I had to completely rebuild them.”

Laughs Duncan, “Yes, I’ve been giving you stick about that for about a year or so! I remember asking you to do a sport segment and I looked at you and thought something’s changed about you. I thought, ‘What’s different about my man today?’ Then I realised you had your teeth done! But you hadn’t said anything.”

“I was really self-conscious,” Mark admits. “I didn’t want to come across as vain.”