When Ita Buttrose made an emotional exit from Studio 10 on Wednesday, she dropped the bombshell that she’d actually given her notice before co-host Jessica Rowe, who also excited the program back in March.
‘I resigned two days before Jessica did,’ the 76-year-old revealed, to audible gasps from the studio audience.
‘But given her announcement, I let mine run until it was more convenient because I didn’t think you wanted two of us to go. Or together!’ she said.
Also gone: When Ita Buttrose made an emotional exit from Studio 10 on Wednesday, she revealed she’d actually given her notice before co-host Jessica Rowe
The media matriarch argued that she ‘didn’t spring’ her announcement on her co-workers, but Joe Hildebrand and Sarah Harris continued to insist the departure came as news to them.
‘You sprung it on us,’ Sarah said, and despite Ita’s denials Joe repeated, ‘Well you sprung it on us!’
After a broadcasting a package showing highlights from Ita’s time on the show, she was presented with a bunch of white flowers.
The journalist was comically told it was the second lot that had been bought for her, after presenter Jonathan Coleman gave the first bunch to her a day too soon.
Out: ‘I resigned two days before Jessica did,’ the 76-year-old revealed, to audible gasps from the studio audience
‘We do have a big bunch of flowers for you. Now, this was take-two, because we had a slight mishap yesterday at Channel Ten, in typical Channel Ten style!’ Sarah said.
‘Jono gave it to you early. It was a little mishap, we actually gave them to you a little bit early,’ she added.
Silent at the start: Denise Drysdale made only one small contribution during the farewell segment at the start of the show. It comes after rumours of tensions on set
Out and about: Jessica let the program in early March citing personal reasons
Denise Drysdale made only one small contribution during the farewell segment at the start of the show, making a morbid joke about singer George Michael.
It comes after rumours of tension between the panel members, which 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’.
Family time: The journalist said she needed more time with her husband and daughters
Amid reported unrest on the show, Ita’s co-host Jessica left the program in early March citing personal reasons and the need for more time with her family.
‘After much soul searching and discussions with my family, it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to leave Studio 10,’ Jessica said at the time.
‘I want to be a more present mum for my girls, Allegra and Giselle,’ she added, speaking of her daughters and husband, Channel Nine presenter Peter Overton.
Mum’s the word: ‘After much soul searching and discussions with my family, it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to leave Studio 10,’ Jessica said at the time