Troy Hayden says goodbye to Fox 10: 'Like going to my own funeral'

Troy Hayden thanked viewers Friday as he signed off from "Fox 10 AZAM" for the last time.

"You are the people I have to thank for this," Hayden said.

"You will be missed, my friend," co-host Syleste Rodriguez said, holding Hayden's hand.

"I walked through the doors here as a kid (in my) mid-20s," he said. "I’ve been here 30 years. I’ve grown up here. I have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of positivity."

Hayden said he has gotten thousands of social media messages wishing him well.

"It was like going to my own funeral, which was weird," he said. "Because people were saying nice things to me."

Troy Hayden leaves Fox 10: 'So many memories'

Jerry O'Connell and Tim Hattrick send off Troy Hayden

Hayden announced on June 26 that he was leaving the station after 30 years. He said then and again on Friday's show that he would go to work at another station in metro Phoenix, but didn't say which one. He will start Aug. 1, he said on Friday's show.

Others dropped by to say goodbye to Hayden. Well, that wasn't the real reason actor Jerry O'Connell was there. He was in Phoenix for his daughters' volleyball tournament and took the time to pitch "Pictionary," the game show he hosts, and to play a round of the game.

But he did congratulate Hayden. "I didn't realize I was here on such a historical day," O'Connell said, shaking Hayden's hand. "Seriously, 30 years. That's incredible."

Earlier in the show, Tim Hattrick of KNIX dropped in by video for his regular visit and told Hayden how sorry he was that he was leaving, and gave him a musical send-off. Yes.

"I know you know this, but for everybody here, and me especially, in the words of Dolly Parton and Whitney Houson, 'I Will Always Love You.'" Then Hayden and Rodriguez talked him into singing it.

Fox 10 is searching for a replacement for Hayden

"Who on earth can fill your shoes?" Hattrick said.

"They'll find somebody," Hayden said. "This is a super strong show. ... Everything's going to be fine."

Indeed, a spokesperson for Fox 10 said that an internal and external search is underway for Hayden's replacement.

"I'm not retiring," Hayden said. "I'm not dying."

"No," Rodriguez said. "Thank goodness. At least not, like, during the show."

Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk.

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