Georgie Gardner announces shock exit from Channel 9 after 24 years

Australian television audiences are saying goodbye to one of the country’s most familiar news faces, with Georgie Gardner announcing she will leave the Nine Network after almost a quarter of a century.

The respected journalist, who currently presents 9News Sydney’s Friday and Saturday night bulletins, revealed she will step away from the network next month, bringing an end to a long and influential broadcasting career.

Gardner will present her final bulletin on April 17, marking the end of more than 24 years at Nine and over three decades in the media industry.

In a message to viewers and colleagues, Gardner said she felt both grateful and excited about what lies ahead.

“I could not be more grateful for the range of opportunities Nine has afforded me over nearly a quarter of a century,” she said, reflecting on her long career with the network.

Gardner became a household name for Australian viewers through her work across several of Nine’s flagship programs. She first joined the network in 2002, initially presenting weather and reading the morning news before becoming a regular presence on the network’s biggest shows.

Many viewers will remember her best from the Today show, where she served as newsreader and occasional co-host from 2007 to 2014, and later returned as co-host in 2018 during a major revamp of the breakfast program.

She also spent much of her time anchoring Nine News Sydney’s weekend bulletins, a role she held for around 17 years and which helped cement her reputation as one of the country’s most trusted news presenters.

Nine’s head of news and current affairs, Fiona Dear, praised Gardner’s contribution to the network, describing her as a versatile journalist who had worked across almost every major on-air news role.

Gardner’s career began in radio with a cadetship at 2NX Newcastle in 1992, before she moved into television reporting and presenting roles across several networks prior to joining Nine.

While reports in the media have speculated about behind-the-scenes tensions and contract issues, the network has publicly denied those claims and said it supports Gardner’s decision to step away.

For Gardner, however, the move appears to be about embracing new opportunities after decades in the fast-paced world of television news.

She told followers she is looking forward to exploring what comes next and feels grateful for the career she has had.

For viewers who have watched her deliver the news for years – whether on breakfast television or the nightly bulletins – Gardner’s departure marks the end of an era for Australian television.