Melissa Doyle leaves Channel Seven: Veteran host is dropped amid COVID-19 cutbacks - seven years after her unceremonious exit from Sunrise
The Seven host, 50, is the latest casualty of the TV industry's coronavirus crunch
She parted ways with the network on Friday, after 25 years of service
'I leave Seven with a great deal of pride, satisfaction and gratitude,' she said
Melissa's departure comes seven years after she was sacked from Sunrise and replaced by Sam Armytage
She was previously the host of current affairs show Sunday Night, which was axed in October last year as a cost-cutting measure
It comes a week after Channel 10 laid off 25 staffers in response to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
Veteran broadcaster Melissa Doyle has left Channel Seven after 25 years, the network announced on Friday.
Her departure is believed to be the result of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit Seven particularly hard.
The former Sunrise host, 50, said in a statement: 'For 25 years, I have called Channel Seven home. I've had the privilege to share stories that mattered, meet incredible people and be there for significant moments in history.'
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End of an era: Veteran broadcaster Melissa Doyle has left Channel Seven after 25 years, the network announced on Friday
She continued: 'I am incredibly proud of the work I have done and appreciative of the trust and warmth our viewers have shown me.
'I want to thank the consummate professionals I have worked with along the way, in particular our Chairman Kerry Stokes for his constant support.'
She concluded: 'I leave Seven with a great deal of pride, satisfaction and gratitude.'
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Tough times: Her departure is believed to be the result of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit Seven particularly hard
Seven West Media's CEO and Managing Director, James Warburton, thanked Melissa for the work she'd put in over the years.
'Melissa has deserved every success that's come her way and has been a huge part of the network,' he said.
'On behalf of everyone at Seven West Media I want to wish Mel the very best and thank her for everything she's done for the Seven Network.'
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Dignified: The former Sunrise host, 50, said in a statement: 'For 25 years, I have called Channel Seven home. I've had the privilege to share stories that mattered, meet incredible people and be there for significant moments in history'
Seven's Director of News and Public Affairs, Craig McPherson, also paid tribute to his colleague.
He noted that in addition to her on-camera duties, Melissa played an instrumental role in nurturing new talent at the network.
'From reporting to presenting to mentoring her colleagues, Mel has been a fundamental part of the Seven Network's News and Public Affairs team for more than two decades,' he said.
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Early days: Melissa first joined Seven's Canberra bureau as a political reporter back in 1995
'Classy, professional and a delight to work with, Mel leaves us with a history she should be enormously proud of.
'On behalf of all her former and current colleagues here at Seven, I'd like to thank her for contributing so much to our successes and wish her every success in her next endeavour.'
Looking back on her stellar career, Melissa told The Sydney Morning Herald: 'You know I have worked half of my life at Seven, it has been a very big part of me.
'But today is about reflecting on what I achieved over that time, to feel positive about that and thankful for the opportunities I've had, and there have been so many extraordinary opportunities for me.'
While she didn't disclose her plans for the future, she added that she 'is not the sort of person to sit on my butt and do nothing'.
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Pioneer: Melissa was one of Sunrise's first hosts, before the breakfast show was temporarily axed in 1999 and brought back the following year. Pictured alongside co-host David Koch
Melissa's statement in full
Melissa posted the following statement to her website on Friday, after Seven announced her departure from the network:
'I have some personal news to share… after twenty-five years I am leaving the Seven Network.
'For half of my life I have called Channel Seven home and in that time I've had the privilege to share stories that mattered, meet incredible people and report on some of the greatest moments in history.
'I am incredibly proud of the work I have done and so grateful to have worked with some of the very best in my industry.
'And I am so appreciative of the trust and warmth our viewers have shown me. They have been part of my family – through Today Tonight, Sunrise, Seven News, Sunday Night and the multitude of programs I've been part of at Seven.
'I want to thank the consummate professionals I have worked with along the way, and in particular our Chairman Kerry Stokes for his constant support.
'Whilst I am sad to be leaving, I do so with a great deal of pride, satisfaction and gratitude.
'Every ending is a beginning and I’m excited for what comes next.
'Thank you.
Melissa'
TV Blackbox editor Rob McKnight, who previously worked with Melissa on Sunrise, also weighed in on her departure from the company.
'Mel Doyle is one of Australia's best presenters. It's easy to forget she was part of the team that took Sunrise to number one, but in these tough times we are seeing the loss of big stars across commercial television,' he told Daily Mail Australia.
'I worked with Mel when I was line producing Sunrise and she was an absolute joy to work with - she is the same off camera as she is on.'
But McKnight acknowledged it would be difficult for Melissa to bounce back given the current media climate.
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Boned: The mother of two announced she was leaving Sunrise in June 2013, and finished up in August that same year. At the time, her departure was described by the network as a 'resignation', but it's widely believed she was pushed out
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Out with the old, in with the new: Melissa was replaced on Sunrise by Sam Armytage (left)
'It's going to be tough out there though, the market is struggling, and while I'd like to see her talents used, you have to wonder what opportunities will be out there at this time,' the commentator added.
Melissa's exit comes a week after Channel 10 axed 25 staffers in response to the economic downturn.
The likes of Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Tim Bailey and Natarsha Belling are all leaving the network, and news operations are being centralised in Sydney and Melbourne.
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Axed: In 2015, she was announced as host and senior correspondent for Sunday Night, but the current affairs show was cancelled in October last year as a cost-cutting measure
Melissa first joined Seven's Canberra bureau as a political reporter back in 1995.
She then moved to Sydney, working as a newsreader on the network's 11AM program.
Melissa was one of Sunrise's first hosts, before the breakfast show was temporarily axed in 1999 and brought back the following year.
She rejoined the program in 2002, and also hosted a string of other shows for the network, including Today Tonight.
The mother of two announced she was leaving Sunrise in June 2013, and finished up in August that same year.
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Proud: 'I am incredibly proud of the work I have done and appreciative of the trust and warmth our viewers have shown me,' Melissa said in a statement
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Recession: The news comes a week after Channel 10 axed 25 staffers in response to the economic downturn. The likes of Kerri-Anne Kennerley (pictured), Tim Bailey and Natarsha Belling are all leaving the network
At the time, her departure was described by the network as a 'resignation', but it's widely believed she was pushed out. She was replaced by Sam Armytage.
Melissa remained with the network, however, presenting Seven Afternoon News and Seven News at 7.
In 2015, she was announced as host and senior correspondent for Sunday Night, but the current affairs show was cancelled in October last year as a cost-cutting measure.
The life and career of Mel Doyle as she leaves Seven after 25 years
1970-90: Melissa Doyle was born on February 10, 1970, and later attended Pymble Ladies' College in Sydney. She went on to study broadcast journalism at Charles Sturt University
1990: Mel joins WIN Television's Canberra bureau as a cadet reporter, and later becomes a weather presenter
1993: She joins Prime Television as a reporter and co-host of the evening news
1995: Mel is hired by the Seven Network as a political correspondent in Canberra. She later moves to Sydney as a news reporter for 11AM
1997: She joins breakfast show Sunrise as a co-anchor before it's axed in 1999
2000: She takes over as host of Sydney's Today Tonight following the departure of Stan Grant
2001: Mel goes on maternity leave after the birth of her first child, Nick, whom she shares with her husband, John Dunlop
2002: She joins the revamped Sunrise as a co-host alongside David Koch
2003: Mel Doyle welcomes her second child, Talia
2013: Mel is sacked from Sunrise and replaced by Sam Armytage. Despite her unceremonious departure, she remains with the network
2015: She replaces Chris Bath as host of current affairs program Sunday Night following Chris' resignation from the network
2016: Mel is made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her 'significant service to the community through representational roles with a range of charitable groups, and to the broadcast media'
2019: Sunday Night is axed, but Mel stays with the network in a variety of hosting roles
March 2020: Mel joins Michael Usher to host Seven News: The Latest during the COVID-19 pandemic
August 2020: Mel announces she is leaving Channel Seven after 25 years
She joined fellow reporter Michael Usher as host of late-night news program The Latest in March this year.
The network is set to farewell Melissa with 'a special tribute celebrating her exceptional contribution' during Friday's 7News broadcast at 6pm.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Melissa for comment.
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Farewell: The network is set to farewell Melissa with 'a special tribute celebrating her exceptional contribution' during Friday's 7News broadcast at 6pm