Michael Pell steps down as Sunrise’s executive producer

Sunrise’s executive producer Michael Pell leaves the morning show after 11 years to move to Los Angeles


Sunrise’s longtime executive producer Michael Pell is leaving the morning show after 11 years at the helm.

Pell will step down from the role at Easter.

He’s planning to relocate to Los Angeles, but will continue working with Channel Seven in a new role.

End of an era: Sunrise’s longtime executive producer Michael Pell (pictured) is leaving the morning show after 11 years at the helm

Rumours of Pell’s departure from the network have been swirling for months.

According to a report from Private Sydney in December, the 38-year-old was eyeing potential offers in the U.S.

However, Pell confirmed at the time that his current contract with Seven was ‘in negotiation’ and no decisions had been made at that time.

In 2019, the Herald Sun reported that Pell had ‘expressed interest’ in relocating to America, prompting Seven bosses to offer him an annual salary of over $1million to stay at the network.

Exit strategy: Pell is planning to relocate to Los Angeles, but will continue working with Channel Seven in a new role (pictured with Sarah Harris)

Exit strategy: Pell is planning to relocate to Los Angeles, but will continue working with Channel Seven in a new role (pictured with Sarah Harris)

Pell is rumoured to be one of the top paid executives at Seven and produces up to 24 hours of live television every week.

He was best friends with Sam Armytage during her time on Sunrise, and she confided in him when she stepped away from the show earlier this year.

Speaking to TV Blackbox in June, he said: ‘We got really close and that is when she came to me and said, “I think I would like to leave because I want to see what life’s all about”.

Talk of the town: Rumours of Pell's departure from the network have been swirling for months

Talk of the town: Rumours of Pell’s departure from the network have been swirling for months

‘And she’d had a tough year last year. If you aren’t enjoying it anymore you should seek something else to do. You have to do what it’s in your heart and it wasn’t in her heart… it just wasn’t for her anymore’.

Michael said he was ‘fully supportive’ of Sam’s exit from the show, and was delighted that she’s so happy with her new husband, Richard Lavender, 60.

‘She went and met Richard and I didn’t matter anymore!’ he joked, adding, ‘I love Richard. He is a great guy, and I have never seen her happier’.

Moving on: Pell was best friends with Sam Armytage during her time on Sunrise. (Sam pictured with husband Richard Lavender)

Moving on: Pell was best friends with Sam Armytage during her time on Sunrise. (Sam pictured with husband Richard Lavender)