Paul Vautin has responded to reports former colleague Mario Fenech was ridiculed during his time on The Footy Show, despite colleagues knowing about his deteriorating health.

The 60-year-old was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a type of early onset dementia.

One headline suggested the Rabbitohs great was “mocked” by his fellow presenters despite knowing about his condition, which Vautin rejected.

“I’ve never seen a more disgusting news headline, because that is so far from the truth, it’s incredibly disappointing,” he told Peter Psaltis on Wide World of Sports.

Vautin said Fenech was the backbone of the Souths for some time.

“We all loved Mario Fenech … from the day he came on the show, I have got the utmost respect for Mario.

“Mario Fenech is one of the greatest people that I have ever met.”

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