Ita Buttrose quits ‘Studio 10’ to spend more time with grandchildren

Ita Buttrose has quit Studio 10 in a surprise announcement, after almost five years as one of the show’s most popular co-hosts. Her last episode is due to run on Wednesday, when she will officially announce her departure on air.

The 76-year-old star revealed she wanted to spend more time with her five grandchildren, as well as on her writing, but had nothing but praise for the talk show.

“I have had a long involvement with Network Ten, stretching back many years. I’ve had five great years on Studio 10, but it is time for me to move on and focus on other parts of my life, including spending more time with my grandchildren and writing,” she said.

Meanwhile, Channel 10 hailed her as a “legendary media editor, business person, television personality, best-selling author and dedicated community and welfare contributor” in its statement. “Her experience, intelligence, warmth and insights have been an invaluable part of the show,” the network said.

Buttrose is currently writing two books, and has already published 11 others, including her best-selling autobiography A Passionate Life.

Buttrose’s unexpected departure comes after co-star Jessica Rowe announced last month that she was leaving the program to spend more time with her family.

Read more: ‘My family need me’: Jessica Rowe steps down from ‘Studio 10’

In an abrupt announcement that left several of her co-hosts in tears, an emotional Rowe told viewers the decision had been “very hard”.

“I’ve decided to leave Studio 10 …it’s been a very hard thing for me to do but it’s because my family need me,” she said through tears.  “I want to be a more present mother for my girls, Allegra and Giselle. They need their mum. I want to be there in the mornings for them, to take them to school … It is something that I need to do, it is as simple as that.”

Rowe went on to say that she had spoken a lot about the decision with her husband, Nine journalist Peter Overton. 

“It’s weighed on me because this is the best job that I have ever had on television,” she said. “It is family. It is a job that has allowed me to find my voice and my courage again and I will never forget that. When I told Paul Anderson, the CEO, of my decision earlier this week, he was incredibly supportive and understood my reasons with family and the network has been nothing but supportive and said any time I’m welcome back.”

The television host was one of the founding panelists on Studio 10 when it launched in 2013, along with co-hosts Sarah Harris, Joe Hildebrand and Ita herself.

Speaking about Ita’s shock exit, Ten’s Chief Content Officer Beverley McGarvey said: “We are very sad to see Ita leave Studio 10. She has been with the show since day one and has been a wonderful member of the team.

“Ita is a true legend of the Australian media and a great colleague. Everyone at Studio 10 and Network Ten, as well as her many fans, will miss her but we fully understand and support her decision to step away from the show. She is, of course, welcome to come home to Studio 10 at any time.”

Network Ten will announce new co-hosts to join Harris, Hildebrand and Denise Drysdale soon, it confirmed.

Are you a fan of Ita Buttrose? Do you think she’s made a good decision? Will you miss her?