Nelson Aspen, who used to be on the morning show Sunrise, has shared the real reason he suddenly left in 2022.
Nelson, often called ‘the Hollywood guy’ on Brekkie Central, surprised everyone by announcing his resignation during the live broadcast. He later explained to reporters that he was experiencing burnout.
The popular personality reveals he’d known for a while that his time at Sunrise was ending. He says his leaving felt so prolonged because the show struggled to find someone new to take his place.
The key to keeping the show interesting is constantly making small changes and improvements,” the 62-year-old explained in a recent interview on the YouTube show McKnight Tonight.
People attempted to take my place – I even made a list of those who tried: Nula Hefner, James Tobin, Julia Morris, Fifi Box, Eddie Bartholomew… But I always managed to return.
He explained that his usage varied greatly – sometimes he’d use it five times a day, while other times only twice a week. He described it as a gradual process of change.
Nelson seemed to understand Seven’s choice not to renew his contract after almost two decades, and stated he was still willing to continue working on shows, even without a long-term commitment to the network.
‘That’s showbiz,’ he said in the new interview.
I felt a strong obligation to my dedicated fans and wanted to give them all the time they deserved. I couldn’t simply abandon them.
Nelson also shared that he’s still good friends with Melissa Doyle, his former Sunrise co-host of 14 years. He mentioned he recently visited Australia to spend Christmas with her.
Daily Mail has reached out to Seven for comment.
After leaving Sunrise, Nelson published the Dancing Between the Raindrops book series.
The final book in the trilogy, ‘Happily Ever After’, came out this month. It’s a fictionalized account of reporter Nelson’s career, spanning three decades.
He is currently a regular contributor as a political commentator on the GB News in the UK.
The New York-based journalist made headlines in June 2022 during a live bulletin from the US.
Aspen announced her resignation from Sunrise after nearly 20 years, telling her co-hosts Natalie Barr and Michael Usher that she was leaving in two weeks. They appeared taken aback by the announcement.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always been fascinated by the stories behind the stars. Over the years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to interview some truly iconic people – think Julie Andrews, Harrison Ford, and Rose Byrne, just to name a few! I’ve also been on the ground covering all the biggest award shows for Sunrise, like the Oscars and Golden Globes, bringing all the glamour and excitement to our viewers.
Shortly after leaving Sunrise, Nelson explained to New Idea that he was feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. He’d found it difficult to keep up with his work while balancing everything from home during the Covid lockdowns.
The popular reporter married his partner, Jonny, in a simple ceremony in New York in 2023.
Nelson and Jonny, who have been together for 9 years, were married in a courthouse ceremony.
The well-known and humorous TV personality jokingly called the wedding a very fast, simple affair, referencing the popular HBO show Sex and the City.
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2026-01-29 08:18