Bill Brownless Biography

Billy Brownless admits he had his doubts over whether his son Oscar Brownless could make it to the big time.

"He has worked really hard and I remember five or six years ago he was a bit chubby and I was thinking, he won't even get a game with Geelong ammos, which was where he was playing," Billy said.

"But he has worked really hard and to his credit he has got down and dirty and he likes the contested stuff.

"He uses the ball well and his running is really, really good so that is where he has really improved things."

Garry Lyon opens up about his mental health battle in a candid interview following his 12 months out of the spotlight.

Lyon revealed that he shunned treatment when he first experienced difficulties with his mental health.

"My first experience with it was probably eight years ago," he said.

"I sought professional help eight years ago, and I went through this process for about two weeks.

"I didn't pursue it, to my detriment."

The former Melbourne champion was thrust into the headlines when it emerged he was in a relationship with the ex-wife of his best mate Billy Brownless.

Lyon said he hadn't spoken to Brownless since before Christmas 2015.

He confirmed that he remained in a relationship with Nicky Brownless and was continuing to take a small amount of medication, and said his priority now was his three boys.

Lyon apologised for the hurt he had caused to his family and the Brownless family.

"I think it's important publicly that I apologise for the hurt and pain that they've been through," he said.

Mental health problems force Garry Lyon to stand down from media roles.

Lyon was the subject of a News Corp report, published on Saturday, that claimed he and long-time friend and Footy Show co-presenter Billy Brownless had suffered an irreparable break in their friendship.

While it was not made clear what has caused the rift, the report suggested Lyon was under a large amount of stress due to the situation.

In the wake of the report, Nine issued a statement asking for Lyon's privacy to be respected as he battled his health woes.

"For several months The Footy Show and Footy Classified co-host has been suffering from a serious mental health condition and he will take time out from all media roles to recover," the statement said.

"There is no set time frame as to when he will return to television."