Channel Seven Sunday Night reporter jumps ship to Today show

Channel Seven reporter joins Nine’s Today show… amid shake-up that sees Karl Stefanovic returning as host

Channel Seven Sunday Night reporter Alex Cullen is joining Channel Nine’s struggling Today show.

The journalist, 38, is one of the names set to make an appearance on the breakfast program in two weeks’ time, according to Saturday’s The Daily Telegraph.

Alex’s fill-in role, across the summer period, is said to have a sports focus.   

Making the switch! Channel Seven Sunday Night reporter Alex Cullen (pictured), 38, is joining Channel Nine as a fill-in host for the Today show, over the summer period 

A Nine spokesperson said: ‘[He is] filling in over the summer period while we are short-handed.’  

While Channel Nine stars take time off over the summer, network executives will likely decide on a final line-up for the Today show in 2020.

Alex was previously a reporter and presenter for the now-axed Sunday Night program, and a sports reader for the Seven’s 6pm bulletin. 

Family man: Alex was previously a reporter and presenter for the now-axed Sunday Night program, and a sports reader for the Seven's 6pm bulletin. Pictured with wife Bonnie Campbell and daughters Audrey and Evie

Family man: Alex was previously a reporter and presenter for the now-axed Sunday Night program, and a sports reader for the Seven’s 6pm bulletin. Pictured with wife Bonnie Campbell and daughters Audrey and Evie 

News of his departure from Seven comes after the network announced in October that it’s flagship current affairs show Sunday Night has been axed.

The cancellation was part of a ‘major overhaul’ at the network to reduce costs, according to TV Tonight.

Channel Nine made the shock announcement that Karl would be returning to the Today show in 2020, alongside new co-host Allison Langdon earlier this month.

New look Today: Channel Nine made the shock announcement that Karl Stefanovic would be returning to the Today show in 2020, alongside new co-host Allison Langdon (both pictured) earlier this month

New look Today: Channel Nine made the shock announcement that Karl Stefanovic would be returning to the Today show in 2020, alongside new co-host Allison Langdon (both pictured) earlier this month

Karl shared his delight at returning to the program, admitting he didn’t think he’d be able to go back after his shock axing last year.

‘I thought my time was up,’ he said in a statement released by Nine this month. 

He said he ‘loved’ his time with the 60 Minutes team but missed using his skills for a live show format.

Redemption: Karl shared his delight at returning to the struggling breakfast program, admitting he didn't think he'd be able to go back after his shock axing last year

Redemption: Karl shared his delight at returning to the struggling breakfast program, admitting he didn’t think he’d be able to go back after his shock axing last year

‘It’s a big job with enormous pressures and I know only too well some of those pitfalls, but it is also without question the best live job in Australia,’ he said. 

‘The [Today] show and the audience make me feel alive. I’m up for the fight and I want to fight for our audience,’ Karl added.

Karl will front the show with new co-host Allison, with the pair replacing Georgie Gardner and Deborah Knight.

The ratings for the Today show plunged without Karl, with many viewers complaining that the more serious Georgie and Deborah weren’t the right fit for morning TV.

Not morning TV material: Karl will front the show with new co-host Allison, with the pair replacing Georgie Gardner and Deborah Knight (both pictured)

Not morning TV material: Karl will front the show with new co-host Allison, with the pair replacing Georgie Gardner and Deborah Knight (both pictured) 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk