Sam booted from footy show

[Charliewool]

Sam Newman has been removed from the Nine Network's Footy Show after months of damaging criticism against his "sexist" on-screen antics.

Newman has been involved in a number of sketches on the Comedy Show, including dressing and groping a plastic mannequin designed to appear as a Fairfax Media journalist.

The network last night removed Newman from the show, saying he needed to "recover and convalesce", News Limited newspapers report.

Newman was also told to attend counseling sessions following his on-screen battles and prostate surgery.

Nine's Jeffrey Browne said he regretted bringing Newman back so early.

"In order to allow Sam to return to full health without the stress of having to perform on live television each week, I have directed him to take a break from The Footy Show," he said.

"As a component of this rehabilitation, I have arranged for Sam to undergo counselling to address, with professional assistance, the behaviour and issues that have attended what I now believe to be his premature return to the program."

The Footy Show did lose a significant level of support among female viewers in particular, however Nine would not say when Newman would return.

He will not be seen during tonight's live show.

"Once Sam has had the opportunity to have the time off he always should have had off, and once I am fully satisfied he has fully recovered, he will be back," Mr Browne said.

The network said it was clear Newman had returned to the show with" underlying emotional issues" effecting his on-air performance.