Patrick Sébastien talks about his “old grudge” with Nicolas Sarkozy who wanted to “get him fired” from France Télévisions (VIDEO)

Guest on Saturday November 2, 2024 on RTL in We're doing TV again hosted by Éric Dussart and Jade, Patrick Sébastien spoke frankly. The former star host of France 2 revealed how former president Nicolas Sarkozy allegedly tried to have him fired.

Patrick Sébastien continues interviews to promote his latest book entitled The carnival of the ambitious, in which he paints a portrait of the personalities he has encountered in his long career, such as Bernadette Chirac or Céline Dion. During his passage in We're doing TV again on RTL this Saturday, November 2, Patrick Sébastien opened up about his past problems with former president Nicolas Sarkozy, who allegedly demanded his dismissal from France Télévisions at the time when Patrick de Carolis headed the public group. “He called me to insult me”he said, specifying that this tension went back to old political grievances. Between the support shown for Jacques Chirac and sketches deemed provocative by Nicolas Sarkozy, Patrick Sébastien explained how his artistic choices had at the time aroused the anger of the Élysée.

Patrick Sébastien: this sketch on Nicolas Sarkozy which gave him “cost dearly in retaliation”

When Éric Dussart questions Patrick Sébastien about his conflict with Nicolas Sarkozy and asks him: “why did he want your head?”the ex-host responds: “because we were saying things that he didn't like. There was an old grudge over the fact that I had supported Chirac (…) there were lots of things. A sketch also that I had a fact which cost me dearly in retaliation (…) he called me on Monday morning to insult me.” However, despite this conflict, Patrick Sébastien ensures that their exchanges remained respectful, with Nicolas Sarkozy even showing him kindness afterwards, although the resentment of the time never completely dissipated.

Decisive support from Patrick de Carolis

Patrick Sébastien expressed his gratitude to Patrick de Carolis, former president of France Télévisions, who refused to give in. “I will never thank Patrick de Carolis enough”, he said, emphasizing the importance of this support in his career. For Patrick Sébastien, these years were full of “shenanigans”but he is delighted that the standoff did not succeed, despite Nicolas Sarkozy's multiple attempts.

Article written in collaboration with 6 media.