Georgie Gardner will be leaving 9News Sydney this Friday, but reports suggest her departure wasn’t easy.
Oh my gosh, I was watching Today this morning and it was so emotional! Our beloved newsreader, who’s been a constant on Nine for 24 years – 24 years! – actually said goodbye. It was heartbreaking watching him bid farewell to everyone, both on screen and all of us at home. I honestly can’t believe he’s leaving!
Her TV appearance ended up being uncomfortable, as Karl Stefanovic appeared to want one last opportunity to make fun of her.
As Gardner said goodbye to her coworkers, the network played a montage of clips highlighting her extensive experience covering the news.
The old video highlighted her career as a newsreader and host at Nine, and also showed Karl Stefanovic, 51, making suggestive comments and jokes at her expense.
An old video shows him with a hot cross bun, saying, “I just tried a bite of Georgie’s bun, and…”
The crew could be heard laughing while watching an old clip of Gardner rolling her eyes and smiling.
Gardner responded sharply, defending their baked goods and stating they wouldn’t accept any criticism of them.
Stefanovic jokingly interrupted Gardner as she was finishing her goodbye message to Today viewers, thanking them for their support during her departure.
She expressed her gratitude to viewers, saying she’d received incredibly kind messages and felt very thankful.
Stefanovic said, “Everyone will be watching tomorrow night because the show’s finale is going to be amazing. You’re a really good crier!”
After the TV anchor chuckled at his own joke, Stefanovic playfully retorted, ‘I am – almost as funny as you are.’
Reports indicate that Nine is expected to save a significant amount of money—hundreds of thousands of dollars—by ending its relationship with Gardner.
Nine is reportedly saving $600,000 annually after ending her contract, as the network tries to cut costs, according to a News.com.au report on Friday.
Should big media companies prioritize saving money over respecting veteran broadcasters’ legacies?
What’s your view?
Daily Mail has reached out to Nine for comment.
In March, Gardner announced she was leaving, expressing her thanks to Nine for the opportunities she’d had over the years, and to her coworkers and the audience for their support.
I’m sharing some big news: after 34 years working as a journalist, I’ve decided to retire. I’ve stepped down from my role at Nine after nearly 24 years, and I’m feeling both nervous and excited about what’s next.
I’m incredibly grateful for the many colleagues who have supported me, as well as everyone I’ve had the chance to interview. Their contributions are why it was so difficult to decide to leave.
Gardner added that she was optimistic about starting the next phase of her career.
She added that she’s starting a new chapter in her life and, while she doesn’t know exactly what the future holds, she’s excited about the possibilities and open to new opportunities.
‘So much still to learn and discover in the world, and at age 55, so much still to contribute.’
As I wrap things up, I just want to say how incredibly grateful I am for my amazing team and all of you watching. It’s been an incredible journey, and honestly, the time feels right to move on to what’s next. It’s been awesome, truly!
Fiona Dear, who leads Nine’s news and current affairs programming, stated that the Nine News Sydney presenter was a valued and long-standing member of the Nine Network team.
According to Dear, she was able to handle various jobs at the network – reporting, hosting, and presenting – because she was a flexible journalist.
Georgie became widely recognized after spending nine years on the Today Show, where she worked as a newsreader and host.
Gardner added in her statement that being a part of the Nine family had been a ‘privilege’.
She said it’s been a great honor and very rewarding to present news throughout the day, report on stories, and host almost every news show on the network.
I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to have worked with so many amazing colleagues – truly the best in the business. It also means a lot to know that people have watched and supported my work over the years.
Gardner joined Channel Nine in 2002.
She began her career in 2006, taking over from Leila McKinnon on National Nine News Morning Edition. She then spent eight years working on the Today show.
She initially left her position at Today in 2014 to focus on her family, but later came back to co-host the show with Stefanovic after Lisa Wilkinson’s departure.
She then co-hosted the show with Deborah Knight in 2019. In 2020, Karl Stefanovic returned as host, alongside Allison Langdon.
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2026-04-17 06:04