Weekend Today presenter Belinda Russell quits; will remain at Channel Nine
Weekend Today co-host Belinda Russell has announced that she is leaving the show.
The popular host, 44, known for her viral dance videos on TikTok, shared the news via a statement on Instagram on Sunday night.
He did not give a reason for his departure, and it is unclear if he left by his own choice or if his departure was a management decision.
Russell, who began her career at Nine as a reporter for A Current Affair in 2007, last appeared on Weekend Today on Sunday, February 26 with co-host Clint Stanaway.
There was no mention of his departure from the show and he did not receive any kind of farewell, which is customary for presenters who leave.
Weekend Today co-host Belinda Russell (pictured) has announced that she is leaving the show.
Jayne Azzopardi replaced Russell on Today last weekend, along with Stanaway and newscaster Lizzie Pearl.
While absent from Weekend Today, Russell did his regular weather bulletin for the Sydney evening news on Saturday.
In a brief statement on his ‘career update’, he wished the Today crew ‘good luck’ and confirmed that he was ‘looking forward to future opportunities’ at Nine.
‘Hello friends. A little career update for you. My time at Weekend Today has come to an end. Thanks to those who tuned in,’ she began.
I hope I have brought a bit of sunshine and joy to your weekends. I have loved the last year and look forward to future opportunities at Nine.
“Good luck to the team for 2023 and beyond!”
Nine staff members flocked to the comments section to wish Russell well, with his former Today Extra co-host David Campbell writing, “My sister.”
Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie of The Block added: “Wherever you appear on Nine, you’ll always add a very special dose of joy.”
Nine’s political editor, Charles Croucher, who shared the Weekend Today desk with Russell in 2022, said: “What a delight it was to be able to spend those mornings with you!”
The Today show’s roving time host Tim Davies added: “Loved my time with you! More fun times ahead.
Nine has not released any statement regarding Russell’s departure from Weekend Today. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the network for comment.
After joining Nine 16 years ago, Russell steadily rose through the ranks, becoming the weekday weather presenter for Nine News Sydney in 2013.
She became a familiar face to daytime viewers in 2019 when she appeared on Today Extra while Sylvia Jeffreys was on maternity leave.
He continued to host the Friday morning show alongside David Campbell after Jeffreys returned to work a year later.
She was named the co-anchor of Weekend Today with Charles Croucher and Richard Wilkins in November 2021.
Russell shares three daughters with her Sky News executive husband, Mark Calvert, who was previously head of morning television for Nine.
Russell shares three daughters with her Sky News executive husband, Mark Calvert, who was previously Nine’s morning TV director (all pictured)
In addition to her television career, Russell is known for her viral dance videos on TikTok, where she has over 400,000 followers. (She is shown here with David Campbell)
In addition to her television career, Russell is known for her viral dance videos on TikTok, where she has over 400,000 followers.
His videos, some of which have amassed millions of views, once caught the eye of baseball great Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez in May 2021.
Rodriguez, who at the time had just ended his engagement to Jennifer Lopez, sent Russell a direct message on Instagram and praised his “great feed.”
After his ‘celebrity meet-up’ was discussed on Today, the New York Yankees legend released a statement saying his daughters had sent the message using his phone.
His videos, some of which have racked up millions of views, once caught the attention of baseball great Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez (right, with Jennifer Lopez) in May 2021.
Rodriguez, who at the time had just ended his engagement with J.Lo, sent Russell this DM on Instagram and praised his “great feed.” After his ‘celebrity meet-up’ was discussed on Today, Rodriguez issued a statement saying his daughters had sent the message using his phone.