Melissa Doyle’s last day at Sunrise. Picture:
Media Mode
Source: Supplied
Annette Sharp, The Daily Telegraph, reports
After 11 years rising at 3.30am to wake-up the
nation on television, Melissa Doyle signed off for the last time from the
Sunrise show - turning the page on a remarkable career and bringing to a
partial close what will surely go down as the television PR balls-up of the
year.
The Seven Network, seeking to recover from the poorly orchestrated
announcement made in June that Doyle was leaving the program that made her a
household name, slobbered on its star during three hours of laboured and
sentimental live television.
Even Chairman of the Seven Network Kerry Stokes turned up to bid
farewell to the woman who has became known as "Our Mel" during the
protracted seven week period that has lapsed since she announced on June 20 she
was "so sad" to be leaving the show.
Stokes, as reported by The Daily Telegraph, is said to have been part of
the executive team at Seven that chose to keep Doyle's on-air offsider, David
Koch, at Doyle's expense after audience research showed Doyle's popularity was
waning.
"I can tell you at the boardroom, everybody supports this program
and you in particular," Stokes said.
"Your extension after Sunrise gives us the opportunity to expand
our entire news product and the whole network is behind you and we think that
this is a new platform for you."
Seven has worked
diligently to play-down reports that Doyle was shunted from Sunrise after
taking a forced $150,000 pay cut.
Also among guests farewelling Doyle from breakfast television was
network CEO Tim Worner, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Olivia Newton-John, Hugh
Jackman and Delta Goodrem.
Today Show co-host Lisa Wilkinson, and a raft of other celebrities and
fans also tweeted their well-wishes.
"We've waited a long time to make the move," Worner said,
before going close to confirming the news personality was removed from the
role. "We're very pleased that you agreed to do it, Mel. The way the
ratings have been for Sunrise this week we're going to lose one of you a week
for the next few weeks!".
If the guest list looked a little heavy for the presenter of the frothy
breakfast TV show who is simply moving to an afternoon timeslot, it was.
Doyle's departure, finally, was gracious and emotional.
Joined by her children on the lounge and a studio full of Sunrise
guests, Doyle wiped away tears while embracing co-host Koch and newsreader
Natalie Barr.
"As a working mum I've had nothing but support from everybody,"
she said. "From the very top to of the network right down to the people
who have sat alongside me and it's been the most extraordinary opportunity to
have been involved in a program such as Sunrise and we've had the best time
ever and I've loved every second of it.
"I can't wait for what's ahead. I will miss every single person on
the team but I will see you at other times of the day and I won't have bags
under my eyes!
"I never ever imagined the ride would come what it has become.
Thankyou."
Her husband John had the last word.
"The kids are looking forward to mum tucking them in instead of
them tucking mum in at night ... and I'm looking forward to being the only
person to wake up with her in the morning," he said.
On Sunday Doyle will co-host Seven's coverage of the election debate and
on Monday she moves to her new role at the helm of a 4pm news bulletin and a
7pm bulletin alongside former Today Tonight presenter Matt White on Seven's
second digital channel 7 TWO.
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