Peter Overton reveals what REALLY happened during his tense interview with Tom Cruise – after the Hollywood star told him to ‘put your manners back in’
Peter Overton has spoken about his infamous interview with Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, which aired on 60 Minutes in 2005.
On Thursday, the veteran journalist, 54, was asked about their tense encounter on The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
During the exclusive sit-down, the 58-year-old Mission: Impossible star had told Overton to ‘put your manners back in’.
‘It was one of those moments’: Peter Overton (pictured) has spoken about his infamous interview with Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, which aired on 60 Minutes in 2005
Cruise got snappy with the journalist when he asked a question about his ex-wife Nicole Kidman, who happens to be Overton’s childhood friend.
The star grew frustrated with the line of questioning and told Overton that he was ‘stepping over the line’ and to ‘put his manners back in’.
Radio host Kyle Sandilands asked: ‘What were you thinking back then? When you’re being rubbished on camera by Tom Cruise? Are you thinking to yourself, how do I look respectful, but also still in charge of the interview?’
Intense: At the time, Peter (right) asked Tom (left) a few questions about his ex-wife, actress Nicole Kidman – who also happens to be his childhood friend. Tom grew frustrated at the questions and told Peter that he was ‘stepping over the line’ and to ‘put his manners back in’
How did he do it? Kyle asked: ‘Are you thinking to yourself, how do I look like respectful, but also still in charge of the interview?’ Pictured are Peter and Kyle on Wednesday
Overton explained: ‘I just maintained who I am, and I didn’t get angry. He did. And I just kept true to myself and said it’s a fair question.’
‘I hold no ill-will towards Tom. It was one of those moments,’ he added.
Overton said that he tried to smooth things over with Cruise after the interview, but felt slightly taken aback by the whole experience.
Keeping calm and carrying on: Peter, who is marking 10 years as the news reader for Channel Nine’s 6pm bulletin, explained: ‘I just maintained who I am, and I didn’t rouse or get angry. He (Tom) did (get angry), and I just kept true to myself and said it’s a fair question’
‘I said there thinking, what the hell just happened to me?’ he said.
‘I said to the producer, “Well, how did that go?” And I’ll never forget it, he said: “Top five.” Of all the 60 Minutes stories, he’s thinking of the promos, as they do!’
Overton is marking 10 years as the news reader for Channel Nine’s 6pm bulletin.
The broadcaster is married to former Studio 10 presenter Jessica Rowe, and the couple share two daughters, Allegra, 13, and Giselle, 11.
Family: The veteran journalist is married to former Channel 10 newsreader Jessica Rowe, and the couple share two daughters Allegra, 13, and Giselle, 11