The childhood secret Tim Davies’ mum revealed on Today — years before his emotional farewell
For more than seven years, Australians have known Tim Davies as the energetic weather presenter who could seemingly turn almost any location into a live television studio.
But long before the flights, the early mornings and the countless weather crosses, Tim was simply a young boy — and, according to his mum, one who once decided to run away from home.
It was a story that might have remained a family memory had his mother not unexpectedly revealed it on Today.
Years later, as Tim prepares to leave the breakfast program, the old moment offers a surprisingly personal glimpse of the man behind the familiar television smile.
The moment his mum let the secret slip
The moment came in May 2020, when Tim was joined by his mother, Kate Davies, during a Today segment.
What began as a warm family appearance took an unexpectedly embarrassing turn when Kate revealed that her son had once run away as a child.
For Tim, it was clearly not a story he had planned to share with the nation.
Nine’s original description of the segment said the weather presenter was “mortified” by his mother’s on-air admission.
It was the kind of moment that felt less like a polished television interview and more like a glimpse into a real family relationship — a mum remembering something her son might have preferred to leave firmly in the past.
A glimpse of Tim away from the weather map
The story also offered something viewers rarely saw from Tim.
On Today, he became known for his enthusiasm, humour and willingness to throw himself into almost any assignment.
Since joining the program in 2019, he has travelled extensively around Australia and overseas, reporting from communities and taking part in some extraordinary live television moments.
Nine says his Today career has included more than 900 flights, along with skydiving, bungee jumping, abseiling, swimming with sharks and crocodiles, racing performance vehicles and performing acrobatics live on air.
Yet one of the most memorable stories about Tim requires none of those adventures.
It came from his own mother.
From childhood adventures to a life spent travelling
There is an amusing contrast between the childhood story and the career Tim eventually built.
The boy who once apparently tried to run away from home grew into a television presenter who spent seven years constantly travelling from one destination to another.
For much of his Today career, life meant early starts, flights, live crosses and moving from one story to the next.
Nine says Tim has spent much of those seven years “living out of a suitcase”, travelling daily to showcase Australians and communities around the country and beyond.
That demanding lifestyle has now reached its final chapter.
Tim is preparing to say goodbye to Today
Nine confirmed on August 28 that Tim will read his final weather forecast on Friday, September 18, 2026, bringing his seven-year run on Today to an end.
His departure marks the end of one of the program’s most recognisable weather-presenting eras.
Reflecting on the decision, Tim said he had been incredibly fortunate to have what people often described as one of the best jobs in television.
He spoke warmly about working alongside broadcasters he admired, travelling to new destinations and meeting Australians with remarkable stories.
But after seven years, he believes the time has come to slow down.
He wants to enjoy some time away from the constant travel, get some sleep and take a break without a camera crew following him before deciding what comes next.
“It seems like the right time to step back”
For Tim, leaving does not appear to be about closing the door on television altogether.
Instead, his comments suggest he is looking forward to a different pace of life.
After years of early mornings and living from a suitcase, he wants the opportunity to pause, enjoy some time away from the demands of breakfast television and prepare for his next adventure.
Nine’s Director of Morning Television, Steven Burling, described Tim as a much-loved member of the Today hosting family and said his departure would leave “enormous shoes to fill”.
The network also praised his contribution to smaller communities, saying he had helped bring their people and causes to a national audience.
One old story feels different now
That is what makes the old clip with Tim’s mum so interesting today.
It wasn’t a major television exclusive.
There was no dramatic revelation about his career.
It was simply a mother sharing an unexpected childhood memory about her son — and a grown-up Tim being left visibly embarrassed by it.
But as he prepares to leave Today, the moment provides a rare glimpse of Tim beyond the weather reports and spectacular live crosses.
Before the cameras, he was someone’s son.
And apparently, even after becoming one of Australia’s most recognisable weather presenters, his mum could still embarrass him on national television.
A final chapter still to come
Tim’s final forecast on September 18 will close seven years of Today memories — from remote communities and major events to some of the most adventurous live television assignments the program has produced.
Nine has yet to announce his replacement.
But while viewers prepare to say goodbye to the familiar face delivering their morning weather, that old moment with his mum offers a reminder that there has always been more to Tim Davies than the person standing in front of the weather map.
Sometimes, the most revealing stories aren’t the ones a presenter chooses to tell.
Sometimes, they’re the ones your mum remembers for you.