Students at Mudgee Public School got a surprise on Monday when The Footy Show hosts Paul (Fatty) Vautin and Erin Molan dropped in.
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Paul and Erin were in Mudgee to film segments for Thursday’s show with the winners of the show’s Apprentice competition, Stotts Painting Contractors,.
Stotts Painting Contractors owners Heidi and Matthew Stott, both long-time fans of The Footy Show, were watching last Wednesday when their business was announced as the winner of the competition, in which the show’s hosts get on-the-job experience with businesses.
“We were really surprised and excited,” Heidi said.
“A business from Mudgee winning on a national TV show is not something you see everyday.
“We felt really proud to be a part of it.”
As well as bringing the hosts to town, Heidi said she entered the business in the competition to give the it some exposure.
“We put the footage of us winning on our Facebook page and the post reached 11,500 people in three days which is just unreal,” Heidi said.
“Our business name and number were also on the NRL game on Sunday when the Dragons played the Roosters.”
“It was fantastic exposure and something we are unlikely to ever see again.”
As part of the competition, Erin and Paul joined the Stotts team at work for the day.
Ahead of the visit, Heidi was tight lipped about what was planned for the Footy Show hosts.
“We have lots planned for them but you will have to tune in on Thursday night,” she said.
However, Stotts Painting Contractors were keen to have Mudgee Public School involved in the visit and are grateful to the school principal Alan Kerr and staff for their assistance.
“We really wanted to get the kids involved so we are just going to see how it all pans out,” she said.
“We rang Alan when we were told that we had been short listed and asked if we did win could we bring them to the school.
“From being told we had been short listed to the announcement on Wednesday night was only five days, then another five days to filming.
“We really do appreciate it and only hope the kids got a buzz from Fatty and Erin hanging out at the school for the morning.”
Heidi said Stott Brothers staff were also looking forward to meeting the stars.
“There has been lots of organising the last few days getting ready for them and we really appreciate the boys stepping up and helping us out.”
Despite their brush with celebrity, Heidi says the family’s favourite footy team is still the Mudgee Under 6s.
