A slew of Channel 10’s most legendary stars will take their final bow on Friday, following the network’s brutal budget cuts last month.
Despite boasting decades of experience and scores of fans, the likes of Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Tim Bailey and Natarsha Belling are among the sea of on-air talent axed as part of the mass-redundancy.
Take a look at the biggest personalities you’re going to miss seeing on Channel 10.
The final goodbye: The biggest names departing Channel 10 this week amid the network’s brutal job cuts – including Kerri-Anne Kennerley (pictured), Tim Bailey and Natarsha Belling
Kerri-Anne Kennerley
TV veteran Kerri-Anne Kennerley is among the biggest names to be axed amid Channel 10’s cost-cutting measures.
The 66-year-old, who joined Studio 10 as a part-time panellist in September 2018, fought back tears as she addressed her redundancy on-air last month, telling viewers that she treasured her time on the show.
Boned: TV veteran Kerri-Anne Kennerley, 66, (pictured) is among the biggest names to be axed amid Channel 10’s cost-cutting measures
The beloved presenter acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary to tighten the budget, and thanked her friends and colleagues for their support.
‘I just know I’m back on the ‘lazy Susan’ of television. Yeah, it’s very, very tough for a lot of people,’ she said on Studio 10.
The media veteran also graciously said that she accepts losing her job if it means she is saving the livelihoods of her colleagues.
Sad: The presenter, who joined Studio 10 as a part-time panellist in September 2018, fought back tears as she addressed her redundancy on-air last month, telling viewers that she treasured her time on the show.
‘Let’s face it. We’ve got to get down to logic here. It is what it is. It’s not the first time, unfortunately. Companies do these sort of cuts to make the business better, which in the long run saves a lot more jobs,’ she said.
Natarsha Belling
Veteran newsreader Natarsha Belling, 45, was sacked by Channel 10 last month after more than two decades on the network.
End of the road: Veteran newsreader Natarsha Belling, 45, (pictured) was sacked by Channel 10 last month after more than two decades on the network
Making a respectable exit, Natarsha later shared a dignified farewell to viewers and her former colleagues via Instagram.
She showed no bitterness toward the network, and instead thanked them for supporting her career since her early 20s.
‘It’s been an absolute pleasure being part of the Network 10 family for more than 22 years and I want to thank the network for all the wonderful opportunities I’ve enjoyed over the past two decades,’ she wrote.
Classy: Making a respectable exit, Natarsha shared a dignified farewell to viewers and her former colleagues via Instagram
‘During that time, I’ve worked with some of the very best in the TV business who have inspired me with their skill, passion and dedication,’ she continued.
Natarsha acknowledged that 2020 has been a ‘challenging year for many’ and has ‘in many way reminded us about what truly matters in life.’
‘I’m sad to leave, but excited about the new chapter ahead. I can’t wait to share with you what’s coming up!’ she concluded.
Tim Bailey
Legendary weatherman Tim Bailey, 57, was also sacked as part of Channel 10’s brutal budget cuts last month, after 30 years at the network.
Tim enjoyed an illustrious career as the network’s roving reporter and weather guru.
Fan favourite: Legendary weatherman Tim Bailey, 57, (pictured) was also sacked as part of Channel 10’s brutal budget cuts last month, after 30 years at the network
Tim began working for Channel 10 in 1980 after scoring a job as a reporter on Good Morning Australia with Mike Gibson and Kerri-Anne Kennerley.
The multi-talented journalist began presenting the weather for Channel 10 in 1996, and has remained in that role ever since.
Prior to being axed, Tim presented the weather on-location around New South Wales towns for Ten News at Five, a well as acting as a cover reporter for Ten Network.
Joe Hildebrand
Joe Hildebrand announced his decision to depart Studio 10 and the network at large this Thursday.
The 44-year-old broke down in tears as he revealed live on Studio 01 that he’d come to the difficult decision to quit after seven years of service, following a ‘huge amount of thought’.
‘My time here has been wonderful’: After seven years of service, Joe Hildebrand, 44, announced he is quitting the Studio 10 live on Thursday’s show
A devastated Joe began: ‘I do have some news. I want to say it here first before you saw it or heard it anywhere else.
‘I am leaving Studio 10. I have given it a huge amount of thought. It’s been really hard, but also really lovely to be able to look back on all the things we have done.
‘We all know the show is getting a bit of a shake-up. Channel 10 and my lovely bosses asked me if I’d stay on in a new role. We talked about it openly and warmly about what that might look like.’
On his own terms: Speaking of his bosses’ reaction to take matters into his own hands and leave Studio 10, Joe added: ‘They’re really lovely about it, so don’t lash out at them
Speaking of his bosses’ reaction to take matters into his own hands and leave Studio 10, Joe added: ‘They’re really lovely about it, so don’t lash out at them!
‘I just thought, it’s probably just better to draw a line under this amazing little story that I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of.
‘[I want to] give the show a chance to breathe and have a fresh start without me hanging around.’
Mike Larkan
Weatherman Mike Larkan, 56, is another casualty of Channel 10’s mass job cuts.
Having spent 25 years at the network, Mike has admitted he was shocked to learn he’d been boned last month.
His sun has set: Weatherman Mike Larkan, 56, is another casualty of Channel 10’s mass job cuts
‘I was caught off guard. I’ll be honest… I was totally surprised when I got the phone call. I just had no idea’, he told The Daily Telegraph.
‘You don’t want to hear the news you are no longer in their plan going forward. But, well, I’ve taken that in my stride,’ he said.
He added: ‘I’ve had a good 25 years and I’ve been lucky to have survived that long. There have been retrenches and I’ve survived those, but not quite this time.’