Channel Seven looks set to shake up its news and current affairs programming following the departure of Jodie Speers as early morning newsreader.
The 41-year-old announced on Friday she was leaving Seven and the news business after 15 years at the network.
Speers’ departure coincides with Seven’s plans to make further adjustments to its news and current affairs programmes.
From Monday 25 March, the network will replace the early 5am news bulletin with an extended version of the Sunrise breakfast show.
According to TV black boxthere 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 programming following the departure of Jodie Speers (pictured) as early morning newsreader
Speers took to Instagram on Friday morning after her final on-camera appearance to write an emotional post reflecting on her career with the television network.
‘The end of an era! I didn’t expect to feel so emotional today!’ she stated in her caption.
‘This job has given me so much over the past fifteen years. From a stint in Federal Parliament, another in the courts, and everything from crime scenes to red carpets, bushfires to brain surgery, every day was different.
‘Sometimes sad, often stressful, sometimes hilarious or downright bizarre.’
Speers added, “Since then, I’ve 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 presenter Ben Fordham in 2011, admitted she is looking forward to starting a new career in law.
Speers’ departure coincides with Seven’s plans to make further adjustments to its news and current affairs programmes. From Monday 25 March, the network will replace the early 5am news bulletin with an extended version of the breakfast show Sunrise
“I completed law school this past year and am now looking forward to completing my JD and returning to the court in a different capacity!” she continued.
‘As always, the people make the place – I’ve worked with so many people over the years – and I can’t think of a single bad egg. It’s these guys that 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-rated breakfast show on talkback station 2GB
“I’m going to miss starting our day with you,” Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac noted. ‘But maybe your new profession will come in handy for me one day. Congratulations, well done.’
‘Super woman!!! Congratulations on a great TV career and good luck with the next exciting chapter,” wrote Channel Nine reporter Belinda Russell.
“Just casually doing law school 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.
Since January 2016, she has hosted the Early News bulletin for Channel Seven.
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)