Channel Seven has signed up a new TV star to co-anchor its 7News bulletin with its longtime presenter in a huge hosting shake-up.
She has joined the channel’s weekday 6pm news bulletin alongside veteran broadcaster Mark Ferguson, and the pair made their on-screen debut on Monday.
Just days after taking on the role, she appeared to be in excellent spirits as she was spotted out on a morning walk in her activewear in Sydney on Wednesday.
The presenter, who has worked with Seven for around 25 years, cut a sporty figure as she headed to the gym down Bondi with a friend.
She cut a casual figure in a long-sleeved black T-shirt and fitted trousers, which she styled with a pair of white trainers.
The journalist added a pop of colour with a red rain jacket tied around her waist and she kept her essentials in a black backpack.
She went make-up free for the low-key outing and carried her phone and headphones in one hand during her active morning out in the sun.
She flashed a huge grin as she appeared to be in jovial form, but can you guess who it is?
Angela Cox, who made her 7News co-anchor debut this week, appeared to be in excellent spirits as she was spotted out on a morning walk in her activewear in Sydney on Wednesday
Cox, who has worked with the Seven network for 25 years, cut a sporty figure as she headed to the gym down Bondi with a friend
That’s right it’s Angela Cox! She made her 7News prime time TV debut alongside Ferguson, 58, on Monday night.
Ferguson has presented the 7News Sydney bulletin for a decade and will now be co-anchoring the program with Cox in a huge shake-up.
It is mark the first time Ferguson has ever worked with a co-presenter as the seasoned star has long been known for helming the bulletin by himself.
The hosting change comes amid a string of media job cuts at Channel Seven as the network has been looking to slash costs amid a difficult advertising environment.
The network recently shocked fans by suddenly axing longtime presenter Sharyn Ghidella while Robert Ovadia, Andrew Frampton and Cameron Baud have also left.
It is not the first time Cox has appeared on 7News as she previously stepped in for Ferguson and presented the 6pm bulletin in July while he was on leave during the Olympics.
Her solo debut had sparked rumours that Seven’s new bosses were looking at replacing longtime host Ferguson, but their co-anchoring debut poured cold water over the speculation.
Insiders had previously told how Seven bosses were left impressed by Cox when she temporarily took over from Ferguson on the program.
‘Everyone thought it was going to be Angela and Michael together. But people are really impressed with Ange on her own – she’s a bit of a dark horse,’ one claimed.
‘Angela pulls incredibly strong audience ratings in focus groups, so bosses at all networks will be watching very closely and doing their own research.’
Channel Seven has signed up Cox to co-anchor its 7News bulletin with its longtime presenter Mark Ferguson (both pictured) in a huge hosting shake-up
Cox officially confirmed her new role with 7News last week, taking to Instagram to share an official photograph of herself and Mark alongside a gushing caption.
She penned: ‘Breaking news, just in…. I am thrilled to let you know @mark_fergo and I will be sharing the desk in an exciting new era for @7newssyd.
‘Fergo has won so many loyal viewers with his warmth, integrity and humility, leading our team at the desk for more than a decade. I feel honoured that I will now be sitting alongside him as we keep striving to deliver Sydney’s best news service.
‘We have an incredible team of award winning reporters, producers and production staff who work their butts off every single day to provide first class coverage of the news that matters most to our viewers.
‘The way Australians consume news is evolving, and so are we. Thank you to all our viewers who have been so kind and supportive while I have been flying solo the past few weeks.
‘I hope you will tune in when Fergo and I launch next Sunday. Let’s do this.’
Ferguson said he was ‘really looking forward’ to working with Cox and described it as a ‘fresh start’ for him, as he has never had a co-presenter on the bulletin before.
‘Ange will add so much extra to the bulletin each night; more experience, more energy and it will allow us to be much more versatile when that big stories break,’ he said.
‘In some ways it’s a fresh start for me, I’ve never really co-presented before so I’m hoping Ange can teach this older dog some new tricks. She is a talented journalist, a great presenter and an even greater person.’
Cox is not new to Seven as she is best known for co-hosting the 6pm 7News bulletin alongside Michael Usher on weekends, a role she has held since 2014.
When Cox filled in for Ferguson on the 7News bulletin in July, rumours swirled that she would be replacing him, but their joint debut on Monday has poured cold water over the rumours
Cox (pictured with Ferguson) is not new to TV screens as she is best known for co-hosting the 6pm 7News bulletin on weekends, a role she has held since 2014
She has also worked as a US correspondent for Seven, helmed its nightly news program The Latest and held a role on its former current affairs special Sunday Night.
During her 25 years with the network, Cox has covered some of the world’s biggest events, including the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Olympics.
While working stateside, she also covered five Academy Awards shows as well as the Golden Globes, Grammys and Emmys before deciding to move back to Australia.
Cox has held a passion for reporting ever since she was a child and studied journalism in Queensland with the hopes of working in fashion magazines.
However, she then met a contact who worked in television and persuaded them to give her work experience, kicking off her long-held on-screen career.
For three months, she completed work experience during the week and held a part-time job on weekends to make ends meet before getting a job with Seven.
‘The very best journalism is about sharing people’s stories and getting people to trust you so you can share their stories – it’s not about ego,’ she said of her career.
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