The Studio 10 presenters paid tribute to longtime panellist Ita Buttrose on Wednesday as she made her final appearance on the program.
But while co-hosts Sarah Harris and Joe Hildebrand both spoke during the farewell segment, =Denise Drysdale appeared to stay noticeably silent.
Denise’s refusal to speak about her colleague did little to quash rumours that she and Ita, 76, were feuding behind the scenes of the Network Ten show.
Ita Buttrose’s last day on Studio 10: Denise Drysdale stays silent during the veteran journalist’s farewell segment after THAT Brussels sprout throwing incident exposed their rumoured feud
Explaining her decision to leave Studio 10, Ita said: ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow… There comes a time in your life where you have to decide what else you want to do with your life.
‘I’ve got five grandchildren… I want to spend a bit more time with them. I’ve come to an agreement with a publisher to write a couple of books.’
Sarah, 36, said: ‘You are here so early, you’re so well prepared for every show. As a founding member of the show, it’s sort of like losing a family member.’
Moving on: After five years on Network Ten’s morning show, Ita bid farewell on Wednesday
Meanwhile, Joe spoke of the ‘enormous privilege’ it had been to work alongside Ita, who was an accomplished magazine editor before embarking on a TV career.
Denise made only one small contribution during the farewell segment at the start of the show, cracking a rather morbid joke about George Michael.
Joe remarked that his facial hair made him resemble the late English singer, which prompted Denise, 69, to observe: ‘He’s dead’.
Sounding less than impressed, Ita responded: ‘He’s dead. Thank you, Denise.’
Say what? While co-hosts Sarah Harris (left) and Joe Hildebrand (right) both spoke during the farewell segment at the start of the show, Denise Drysdale appeared to stay noticeably silent
Sarah quickly changed the topic, praising Ita for how she had been a ‘trailblazer’ for women in Australian media.
In a statement to TV Tonight issued earlier this week, Ita said: ‘I have had a long involvement with Network Ten, stretching back many years.
‘I’ve had five great years on Studio 10, but it is time for me to move on and focus on other parts of my life, including spending more time with my grandchildren and writing.’
Why suddenly shy? Denise made only one small contribution as the panel addressed Ita’s departure shortly after 8:30am, cracking a rather morbid joke about George Michael
Channel Ten’s Chief Content Officer Beverley McGarvey also released a statement saying: ‘We are very sad to see Ita leave Studio 10. She has been with the show since day one and has been a wonderful member of the team.
‘Ita is a true legend of the Australian media and a great colleague. Everyone at Studio 10 and Network Ten, as well as her many fans, will miss her but we fully understand and support her decision to step away from the show.
‘She is, of course, welcome to come home to Studio 10 at any time.’
Ita will reportedly be replaced by comedian Denise Scott, who will appear every second week alternating with Denise Drysdale.
Panel shake-up: Ita’s departure comes less than a month after Jessica Rowe (right) left Studio 10 amid rumours of tension between the panel members
Ita’s departure comes less than a month after Jessica Rowe left Studio 10 amid rumours of tension between the panel members.
Tensions flared last November when Denise allegedly threw a Brussels sprout at Ita while filming a Christmas-themed segment.
Ita later acknowledged the incident, telling the Kyle and Jackie O Show in February it was simply ‘shenanigans on the set’ but she didn’t ‘want to talk about it any longer’.
Behind-the-scenes feud? Tensions flared last November when Denise allegedly threw a Brussels sprout at Ita while filming a Christmas-themed segment
Denise also apologised for the incident, saying: ‘I rang Ita for Christmas. We talk, we all get along. I did the wrong thing, it was totally my fault, I am sorry it happened.’
Studio 10’s executive producer Rob McKnight left the show soon after the Brussels sprouts incident and is now challenging his sacking in court. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting the events are related.
In a previous statement to Daily Mail Australia, Network Ten strongly denied claims there was tension between Ita and Denise, labelling the allegations ‘offensive’.
‘Ita and Denise are consummate professionals and these unsubstantiated allegations are offensive,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Ita and Denise have the highest respect for one another and thoroughly enjoy working as part of the Studio 10 family together. To suggest otherwise is nonsense and deliberately mischievous.’
Denial: In a previous statement to Daily Mail Australia, Network Ten strongly denied claims there was tension between Ita and Denise (pictured), labelling the allegations ‘offensive’