Channel Nine star reveals surprising new career following ‘devastating’ exit from network after 30 years

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Longtime journalist Jonathan Uptin says he’s leaving the media world and is pursuing a new career path.

A former sports reporter with Nine Queensland, after leaving the network in 2025, is training to become a marriage celebrant.

On Monday, the 54-year-old shared an update on social media, saying he’s aiming to finish his training by the end of 2026.

‘I want to marry again – now that I’ve got your attention,’ he joked on Instagram. 

He displayed a logo that looked like it was for a business, showing wedding rings and the name ‘Moments with Jono’.

You know, I’ve really embraced the role of being there for people’s big moments. I’ve actually already had my own commitment ceremony, and I’ve also had the honor of officiating at a funeral. Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many events I’ve MC’d over the years – it’s just something I love doing!

Uptin shared details about his work and invited people to contact him if they needed a Master of Ceremonies or someone to lead celebrations in an informal capacity.

The former journalist recently shared how upsetting it was to find out his 30-year contract with Channel Nine wouldn’t be renewed.

He told Media Week on Monday that a recent event might have been the best thing to ever happen to him. He realized there’s more to life than just constantly following the news, and he wants to connect with people on a deeper, more personal level throughout their lives.

Elsewhere in the chat, he revealed he has no interest in going back into media.

‘I feel like that part of my life is over, and I want a fresh change,’ he said. 

I really enjoy being around people who are loving, positive, and spread good energy – people who can connect with and uplift others.

The first sign that Uptin was losing his job at Nine came in July 2024, when he wasn’t chosen to report on the Olympics for the network.

I remember when it all happened – the Herald Sun reported he was suddenly missing from the 6pm news, and the network really had to rush to find someone to fill in for him in Paris. They ended up sending Andrew Lofthouse, which was a bit of a surprise at the time.

During the same time, Channel Nine was also hiring a sports reporter for their Brisbane office, which is located on Mount Coot-Tha.

However, Uptin eventually returned to his desk.

Uptin started his journalism career as a broadcast reporter at Prime, and later worked at Nine Darwin in the early 2000s.

In 2023, he took over from Wally Lewis as the weekend sports reporter for Nine News Queensland after Lewis retired from the position.

Uptin departed Nine at the close of 2025, and the Courier Mail reported in November that his contract wasn’t extended.

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2026-01-12 08:05