Gogglebox Australia: Stars remember Matt Shirvington’s 1998 sprint

The Gogglebox stars were quick to recall an infamous moment in sporting history surrounding Holey Moley host Matt Shirvington, on Thursday.

Australia’s favourite couch commentators were about to share their two cents on Channel Seven’s new mini golf show, when a number of them remembered the champion runner’s appearance at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. 

The new 42-year-old had bounced down the track for the men’s sprint, wearing a Lycra outfit – a number that caught everyone’s eye.

Remember this! On Thursday night, the stars of Gogglebox recalled Holey Moley host Matt Shirvington’s infamous 1998 Commonwealth Games sprint with fondness. Pictured

It all began when Tim Lai excitedly pointed out the former athlete was commentating the program. 

Keith reminded his wife Lee that Matt had on a pair of shorts during the race. 

He later joked that audiences were fixated on the fast moving spectacle, rather than the competition.

Matt Dalton hinted to his wife and daughters, ‘You could see everything.’

Entertainment: Australia's favourite couch commentators were about to share their two cents on Channel Seven's new show, when a number of them remembered the champion runner's appearance at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Pictured Matt with co-host Rob Riggle

Entertainment: Australia’s favourite couch commentators were about to share their two cents on Channel Seven’s new show, when a number of them remembered the champion runner’s appearance at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Pictured Matt with co-host Rob Riggle

It's him! Tim Lai excitedly pointed the former athlete was commentating the mini golf program

It’s him! Tim Lai excitedly pointed the former athlete was commentating the mini golf program

While Kerry Silbery joked to her mother Emmie and daughter Isabell: ‘His whole family jewels went flip-flop-flip.’

Later, Tim’s sister Leanne did a Google search on the athlete’s infamous race and was clearly impressed with the display, saying: ‘Oh, damn!’

Gogglebox tweeted: ‘We all remember that race,’ along with an GIF of Keith re-enacting audiences watching the 1998 race.

All over the place: Keith reminded his wife Lee that Matt had on a pair of shorts during the race. He later joked that audiences were fixated on the fast moving spectacle, rather than the competition

All over the place: Keith reminded his wife Lee that Matt had on a pair of shorts during the race. He later joked that audiences were fixated on the fast moving spectacle, rather than the competition

All on show: Matt Dalton hinted to his wife and daughters, 'You could see everything'

All on show: Matt Dalton hinted to his wife and daughters, ‘You could see everything’

Memorable: Gogglebox tweeted. 'We all remember that race,' along with an GIF of Keith re-enacting audiences watching the 1998 race

Memorable: Gogglebox tweeted. ‘We all remember that race,’ along with an GIF of Keith re-enacting audiences watching the 1998 race

Meanwhile, Matt’s role on Holey Moley hasn’t gone unnoticed by viewers.

One viewer simply shared an eggplant emoji with his name, while another wrote: ‘Speaking of giant sausages, why isn’t Matt in Lycra?’

A third referenced Greg Norman, who also features on the show, and his recent shorts scandal, writing: ‘Greg Norman and Matt Shirvington. Battle of who has the biggest driver.’

Even they remember: Meanwhile, Matt's role on Holey Moley hasn't gone unnoticed by viewers. One viewer simply shared an eggplant emoji with his name, while another wrote: 'Speaking of giant sausages, why isn't Matt in Lycra?'

Even they remember: Meanwhile, Matt’s role on Holey Moley hasn’t gone unnoticed by viewers. One viewer simply shared an eggplant emoji with his name, while another wrote: ‘Speaking of giant sausages, why isn’t Matt in Lycra?’

While another joked: ‘Do you reckon Shirvo and Greg both got in the Lycra for a schlong off.’ 

Matt has previously spoken about the notorious race and admitted that it has been hard to shake – even to this day.

‘It doesn’t leave me really. Some would call it a curse, others would say it is the greatest moment in my career,’ he told The Courier Mail.

'It doesn't leave me really': Matt has previously spoken about the notorious race and said, 'Some would call it a curse, others would say it is the greatest moment in my career.'

‘It doesn’t leave me really’: Matt has previously spoken about the notorious race and said, ‘Some would call it a curse, others would say it is the greatest moment in my career.’

‘I have spent a long time trying to forget all of that but I must admit, it does come up from time to time. Still my best mates favourite line when we are out and someone brings it up is, ”Just remember, the camera puts on 10 pounds”.’  

Matt finished fourth at the 1998 Games and within three-hundredths of a second off a medal, smashing the Australian 100m record in the process. 

He retired from athletics in 2008 and went on to become a Fox Sports NRL commentator. 

Life after sport: He retired from athletics in 2008 and went on to become a Fox Sports NRL commentator

Life after sport: He retired from athletics in 2008 and went on to become a Fox Sports NRL commentator

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