Former Sunrise host Melissa Doyle is ‘honoured’ to RETURN to Channel Seven with a new hosting role

Melissa Doyle is returning to Channel Seven after her shock departure nearly two years ago.

The former Sunrise host, who presented Nine’s new observational prison series Australia Behind Bars earlier this year, will host the revamped This Is Your Life.

In a statement provided to The Daily Telegraph’s Confidential on Sunday, the 52-year-old said she’s ‘honoured to continue the legacy of such an iconic program’.  

Based on the original American format, This Is Your Life showcases the life of a guest celebrity, sports star, performer or high achiever in a certain discipline each episode, with contributions from family and friends.  

This Is Your Life premiered on Seven in 1975 with journalist Mike Willesee as host.

It lasted until 1980 with hosts Digby Wolfe and Roger Climpson and was then axed by the network.  

It made a return on Channel Nine from 1995 to 2005 with Munro back in the hosting chair, and there was an additional season in 2008.

New look show: Melissa, who presented Nine’s new observational prison series Australia Behind Bars earlier this year, will host the revamped This Is Your Life on Seven. Pictured with current Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and David ‘Kochie’ Koch 

The program was then taken off the air again for two years before Eddie McGuire helmed a short four-episode run of the series in 2011. 

Meanwhile, it was announced in August 2020 that Melissa would be leaving Seven after an incredible 25 years of service with the network.  

During her career, Melissa hosted several of Seven’s flagship programs, including Sunrise, Today Tonight, 7News, Sunday Night and The Latest.  

Real-life stories: Based on the original American format, This Is Your Life showcases the life of a guest celebrity, sports star, performer or high achiever in a certain discipline each episode, with contributions from family and friends 

Remember him? Pictured is Mike Munro as host when the show featured on Channel Nine. Melissa told The Daily Telegraph’s Confidential on Sunday that she’s ‘honoured to continue the legacy of such an iconic program’ 

Her departure is believed to have been the result of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit Seven particularly hard.  

Melissa first joined Seven’s Canberra bureau as a political reporter back in 1995. She then moved to Sydney, working as a newsreader on the 11AM program.  

After 11 years working alongside David ‘Kochie’ Koch on Sunrise, she announced she was leaving Sunrise, departing in August 2013. 

Shock axing: Meanwhile, it was announced in August 2020 that Melissa would be leaving Seven after an incredible 25 years of service with the network. Pictured with David Koch in August 2013 when she announced she was leaving Sunrise 

Melissa remained with the network, however, presenting Seven Afternoon News and Seven News at 7.

In 2015, she was announced as host and senior correspondent for Sunday Night, but the current affairs show was cancelled in October 2019, as a cost-cutting measure.   

Melissa joined rival network Nine this year as presenter of new observational prison series Australia Behind Bars. 

The eight-part series follows the harsh realities of daily life behind bars for inmates and correctional officers alike.          

Impressive: During her career, Melissa hosted several of Seven’s flagship programs, including Sunrise, Today Tonight, 7News, Sunday Night and The Latest