It’s been a huge year for shock TV exits: Big names such as Natarsha Belling, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Emma Alberici and Sally Obermeder have all publicly lost their on-air roles.
But the most surprising of all has been Channel 7 veteran Melissa Doyle.
Doyle has been forced to say goodbye after 25 years with the network.
Hosting The Latest, the role was perfect for Doyle, with a quarter of a century experience under her belt, she was reassuring and the friendly figure viewers needed during these unprecedented times.
Speaking to Stellar magazine, Doyle opens up about getting the “really sad” news that her time at Seven had come to an end.
“I wouldn’t say it came as a total shock, I just felt really sad,” Doyle tells Stellar.
“Look, I would be lying if I didn’t say I would’ve loved if they could have found something [for me], but it’s the market, it’s the year,” she says.
“I don’t necessarily think it’s a personal thing. I don’t think they thought, ‘Oh, gee, we’ve got to get rid of Mel.’ I think they thought, ‘Well, we need to save money and we’ve got this person and she’s not doing a huge amount. We’re not quite sure what we’re going to do with her.’ And that’s just the way it is.”
And as Doyle sees it, her family – husband of 25 years John Dunlop and children Nick, 19, and Talia, 16 – are some of the lucky ones.
“We have a lot of friends who are out of work and there are so many in the wider community who have lost their jobs. There are so many who are worse off. I feel really lucky that we are the age we are and that our kids are the age they are. I also have the comfort of knowing that I could probably do a bunch of different things to earn an income.”
The familiar face said: “I let myself have one day when I wallowed on the couch and had a gin and tonic a little earlier than I should have,” she admits.
Doyle released a statement about parting ways with the network back in August.
“For 25 years, I have called Channel 7 home,” she said in a statement. “I’ve had the privilege to share stories that mattered, meet incredible people and be there for significant moments in history.”
“I am incredibly proud of the work I have done and appreciative of the trust and warmth our viewers have shown me. I want to thank the consummate professionals I have worked with along the way, in particular our Chairman Kerry Stokes for his constant support. I leave Seven with a great deal of pride, satisfaction and gratitude.”
On Twitter, Doyle said: “Every ending is a beginning and I’m excited for what comes next.”
As for what that may be, Doyle isn’t too sure yet – she tells Stellar she’s still feeling “exhausted” after 25 years at Seven and enjoying a slower pace.
This article originally appeared on Over60.