Özcan Akyol and Matthijs van Nieuwkerk were always close, but that has now changed. High treason has been committed in front of the nation. “Size sewer.”
It is now clear to everyone that Matthijs van Nieuwkerk has rarely behaved devilishly behind the scenes of De Wereld Draait Door, but his best friend Özcan Akyol always stood behind him. Until last week: Özcan has now completely turned against Matthijs, and even reveals that there are images of his misconduct.
Özcan turns
Wilfred Genee thinks it is doubtful, he tells Özcan in the Today Inside from last night. “I just spoke to Hugo Borst and he was surprised – and I was a bit surprised too – why you are giving Matthijs such pushes at the moment. (…) Apparently it now also seems that you are turning against him.”
According to Özcan, it is now clear that Matthijs has more to accomplish. But recently he presented his book to the fallen TV star? “Yes, that was four months ago. That report was not available at the time and that interview in the Volkskrant was not available. That lady from BNNVARA hadn’t said anything yet. But it’s not like I’m going to drop it.”
Call Matthijs
Did Özcan and Matthijs call after his high treason? “You haven’t spoken to each other since then?” Wilfred asks him.
Özcan: “No, but he is in Paris, right?”
Wilfred: “Yes, but there is a telephone, right?”
Özcan: “Yes, I did speak to him and I also spoke to his wife. Yes.”
Wilfred: “Everything is okay?”
‘Everything is not good’
Then Özcan shows his annoyance. “No, of course everything is not good. You’re sucking now, aren’t you, but you’re good at that… No, what do you think it would be like for you? Of course it’s not good. In sackcloth and ashes.”
Wilfred: “But things are fine between you?”
Özcan: “Well, we didn’t end the friendship or anything if that’s what you mean, no. We just need to talk.”
Johan Derksen: “Yes, but Eus… I think he is more disappointed in you than in ex-employees who forward strange videos. You allowed yourself to be influenced and to save your status in public opinion you slowed down for a while, but I think you are also friends to support each other in difficult times.”
Second chance
Özcan remains committed to his turn. “Yes, well, fine. I say: I still support him and I think he deserves a second chance, but what I’m trying to make clear is: I don’t know which story is correct. I can blindly say, ‘He’s right,’ but I just don’t know.”
Fortunately, Johan presents himself as a new best friend: “Complainers are replaceable during a broadcast and the presenter was the star who kept them working.”
Size sewer
What Angela de Jong, Özcan’s colleague at the A.D, think about it? “Can you be honest and critical on TV of good friends to whom you owe a lot? Can you drop them in front of the country? (…) Considering the messages about that performance in my inbox (…) the answer is simple: no, you don’t publicly insult your friends, because then you are a size-monger.”
It is indeed a ‘strong turn’ from Özcan, Angela thinks, but she does support him. “Call it progressive insight. The stories about the misconduct are piling up and becoming more and more convincing. You can continue to persist in your usual line that nothing is true (…) but that does not make you more credible. And it is certainly not fair.”