Sunrise presenter Edwina Bartholomew is facing backlash from TV viewers and various media sites this week after allegedly posting an extraordinary tweet targeting Nine reporter Seb Costello from her account – before quickly deleting it.
The television personality came under fire over the weekend after she appeared to comment on a video shared by Nine News Melbourne on Twitter, which featured Seb – the reporter son of Nine Network’s chairman Peter Costello. According to a news.com.au report, her comment, which has since been deleted and is censored for legal reasons, read: “Surprisingly articulate for a [censored].”
Bartholomew has since made a public statement of apology, but it hasn’t stopped the backlash online and from the Nine network itself.
“I was half asleep and on the other side of the world,” she told the Herald Sun. “My apologies to Seb and all involved. No offence was intended and hopefully none was taken. It was clearly a mistake and the errant tweet has been deleted.”
Many on social media however have slammed the Sunrise presenter, with one writing: “… what a moron Edwina Bartholomew is to target the son of Peter Costello of all people… you’re messing with the wrong person love.”
Another added: “I liked Edwina Bartholomew, followed her rise since at least Sunrise 6 or 7 years ago when she was Sydney Correspondent. But don’t know what to think now (hard to tell if intentioned or drunk?) Silly woman. And worst of all SEBASTIAN IS THE SON OF NINE’S CHAIRMAN.” While a third wrote: “Imagine the uproar if it was other way around.”
However, others have defended the television presenter for her comment, with one writing: “Fair call on Edwina’s part.” Another added: “Very brave and stunning.” Another added: “Go Edwina you are a star.” While a third wrote: “Good on her. So what.”
According to The Australian, Nine issued a statement on Sunday claiming that Costello was “devastated and shocked” by the tweet. “Seb and Nine are devastated and shocked at the damaging and false nature of this personal attack on a public platform,” a spokesperson said. Meanwhile, according to the news outlet, Nine is reviewing its legal options after the extraordinary tweet and is deciding on a course of action.
Elsewhere, The Mail Online has since published an exclusive report claiming Bartholomew never intended to post the tweet publicly, but had originally intended for it to be shared in a private direct message on the social media site. The news outlet claimed the tweet was online for about 50 minutes before it was deleted.
It comes after Bartholomew, who is pregnant and currently in London on assignment for Sunrise, recently spoke to The New Daily about the struggles she’s been facing handling her heavy work schedule in TV while pregnant.
“After speaking yesterday, I returned home to have a nap on the couch for three hours and then went to bed at 8pm and still couldn’t get up to work at 5am,” she said at the time. “So please disregard my comments about feeling hunky dory. Turns out that’s bulls**t and I’m buggered. I think I probably just needed to admit that to myself.”
The journalist announced her pregnancy on air in June, surprising her co-stars with a scan of the growing baby on the program. “I have a bit of an announcement myself!” she said, after cutting off her fellow presenters during their morning discussion. As a clearly shocked Kochie looked at her, she added: “The girls already know, but Kochie surprise…”