‘It wasn’t quite how I expected it to end’: Sharyn Ghidella axed by Seven Network
Veteran TV news presenter Sharyn Ghidella has been dumped by Seven after 17 years, the network has confirmed.
Taking to Facebook to announce the news on Friday, Ghidella shared that she has been axed by the network amid its huge restructure.
“After 38 years, my shoulder tap has finally come,” the Facebook post reads.
“It wasn’t quite how I expected it to end at Channel 7. I was actually sitting at the hairdressers for work, when I got the call informing me, that after 17 years with the network, my time was up.
“And while somewhat saddened by this decision, there is also some sense of relief.”
Ghidella began her career in television four decades ago, as a reporter and presenter for North Queensland Television. She has had stints at Channel 10 Brisbane, National Nine News Sydney, Daybreak, Nine’s Early News, Qantas News, and the Today Show.
She joined Seven in 2007 as a presenter for Weekend Sunrise, before moving to Today Tonight. Then, she took up the newsreader role at 7NEWS Brisbane in 2013, alongside Max Futcher.
A Seven spokesperson confirmed to Mumbrella that Futcher remains with the network.
In the post, Ghidella reflected on the tough few weeks the industry has faced, describing it as a “miserable affair”.
“A long list of talented, loyal and dedicated employees have been shown the door, in what seems to have been an interminable process of pulling the band-aid off slowly when it comes to removing what’s been deemed excess stock from the building,” she wrote.
“These people are some of the best ‘content creators’ in the business (well, we are digital first now). They are good people and it’s been heartbreaking to watch.
“I’ve seen the toll it’s taken on those who’ve left, those delivering the pain and those still there, and when it comes to witnessing this heartache, I think I’m done.”
Today Show team of 2006. (L-R) Richard Wilkins, Jessica Rowe, Karl Stefanovic, Sharyn Ghidella and Cameron Williams. (Photo by Patrick Riviere/Getty Images)
Referring to reports that Seven West Media’s editor-in-chief Anthony De Ceglie is looking to revamp the network’s evening news bulletin with an astrologer, and the newly-announced satirical segment hosted by Mark Humphries, Ghidella wrote: “I’m also not one to have my evening news served up with humour and horoscopes either, so, to be honest, it is time to go.”
She concluded the post by “sign[ing] off for the last time from 7NEWS”.
In a statement sent to Mumbrella, De Ceglie said: “Sharyn has made a significant contribution to Seven over the past 17 years, we are grateful for her hard work and are sorry to see her go.
“She leaves with sincere thanks from everyone at Seven and our very best wishes for the future.”
Seven Brisbane’s director of news, Michael Coombes, added: “For 17 years, Sharyn has been a welcome guest in loungerooms across Queensland – always professional, always reliable, always warm.
“But for all of us, she is so much more. A mentor, a colleague, a friend. I have nothing but admiration and gratitude for Sharyn. And we wish her every success for the future.”
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the agency beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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topics
7news
7NEWS Brisbane
Anthony De Ceglie
channel 7
Michael Coombes
Seven
Seven Network
Seven redundancies
Seven West Media
Sharyn Ghidella
Deplorable treatment. Sharon
you will move on to bigger &
better things but will truly be
missed by many viewers.
Hold your head high.
ALWAYS THE LADY.
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I am disgusted at the way this was delivered. Sharyn is an incredible news reader, professional and humble to the end. Guess I’ll be moving to 9News.
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Gee, I’m an Aries…can you please give me some good astrology ‘news’ for the coming month? Thanks
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Astrology included in the news?!?!?! What on earth is happening to this modern generation! I have watched 7News, along with ABC news, for many years, but no longer. Moving to ABC news only from hereon.
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