Two Australian TV channels are in a race to sign sportsman Matthew Johns to front their shows.

The former rugby league player, who was axed from The Footy Show after being involved in a group sex scandal with his Cronulla teammates, is being fought over by Network Ten and Channel 7.

It is believed that Channel Ten hopes to get Johns involved in both sports and non-sports presenting roles to fill the gap left by chatshow host Rove McManus, who ended his Sunday night show last week.

Earlier this month, Johns apparently turned down a $600,000-a-year (£332,000) contract with Nine to form a production company with John Singleton.