Channel Seven looks set to shake up its news and current affairs line-up after the departure of Jodie Speers as early morning newsreader.
The 41-year-old announced she was leaving Seven and the news profession on Friday after 15 years with the network.
Speers’ exit coincides with Seven’s plans to implement further adjustments in its news and current affairs programming.
Starting Monday, March 25th, the network will replace the 5am early news bulletin with an extended version of breakfast show Sunrise.
According to TV Blackbox, there will now be a 30 minute early version of Sunrise with Edwina Bartholomew, followed by a regular version of the breakfast show hosted by Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington at 5:30am.
Channel Seven looks set to shake up its news and current affairs line-up after the departure of Jodie Speers (pictured) as early morning newsreader
Speers took to Instagram on Friday morning following her final stint on camera to pen an emotional post reflecting on her career at the television network.
‘The end of an era! I didn’t expect to feel so emotional today!’ she declared in her caption.
‘This job has given me so much over the past 15yrs. From a stint in Federal Parliament, another one in the courts, and everything from crime scenes to red carpets, bushfires to brain surgeries, every day was different.
‘Sometimes sad, often stressful, at times hilarious or completely bizarre.’
Speers added: ‘I’ve since spent years reading the early news.. juggling babies and toddlers, getting up at an ungodly hour.. but getting home in time to see my babies wake up.
Speers, who married 2GB radio host Ben Fordham in 2011, admitted she’s looking forward to beginning a new career path in law.
Speers’ exit coincides with Seven’s plans to implement further adjustments in its news and current affairs programming. Starting Monday, March 25th, the network will replace the 5am early news bulletin with an extended version of the breakfast show Sunrise
‘For the last year or so, I’ve been chipping away at a law degree and am now looking forward to finishing my JD and getting back to court in a different capacity!’ she continued.
‘As always, the people make the place – I’ve worked with so many over the years – and can’t think of a single bad egg. It’s these guys I will definitely miss the most.’
Speers’ friends and fellow Channel Seven colleagues congratulated her on her role and wished her all the best for her exciting future.
Speers has hosted the Early News bulletin for Channel Seven since January 2016. Her husband Ben Fordham presents the top-rating breakfast show on talkback station 2GB
‘Going to miss starting our day with you,’ Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac commented. ‘But your new profession may come in handy for me one day. Congratulations & well done.’
‘Superwoman!!! Congratulations on a stellar tv career and best of luck with the next exciting chapter,’ Channel Nine reporter Belinda Russell wrote.
‘Just casually doing a law degree in your spare time… what a machine,’ Leila McKinnon added.
Speers and Fordham, who is also a presenter for Channel Nine, married in 2011 and are parents to three children – Freddy, nine, Pearl, seven, and Marigold, four.
She has hosted the Early News bulletin for Channel Seven since January 2016.
Speers and Fordham, who is also a presenter for Channel Nine, married in 2011 and are parents to three children – Freddy, nine, Pearl, seven, and Marigold, four (all pictured)
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