Veteran journalist Max Futcher is the man for Seven anchor role
THE veteran journalist to replace Bill McDonald as the main Channel 7 male newsreader says he didn’t see the appointment coming.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
MAX Futcher will replace Bill McDonald as Channel 7 newsreader.
The Sunday Mail can reveal the network’s senior journalist will present the 6pm bulletin Monday-Friday alongside Sharyn Ghidella, from tomorrow.
McDonald read the news for the last time on Friday night, after six months of contract negotiations, with the network confirming he would no longer be part of the team after working during the Commonwealth Games in April.
Futcher, who has 26 years' experience and has covered four Olympics and international stories including the death of Nelson Mandela and the London terror attacks, said the promotion was a surprise.
“It’s a bit of a bolt from the blue. I didn’t see it coming,” he said.
“But, having said that, I’ve spent 15 years being the back-up reader so, if now’s not the time to step up, then when is?
“These jobs don’t come up very often so when they do you’ve got to grab them, and it’s really exciting.”
The newly minted reader, 45, said he planned to be “very hands-on” in the presenting role.
“I’ll continue to write a lot of the stories that will be on the bulletin.
“You’ve got to be involved. There’s no point in just sitting there and reading the words off the screen if you don’t know what the story is about. That is not in my nature.”
Brisbane news director Neil Warren said Futcher had earned his place on the desk.
“He always digs deeper and puts facts first,” Mr Warren said.
Futcher, who has been with Seven Brisbane since 2014, was born and raised in Queensland and lives in Brisbane with his wife Kim — a doctor — and daughters Ava, 9, and Stella, 7.
Sharyn Ghidella told The Sunday Mail it would be a privilege to sit alongside one of the best journalists in the business.
Brisbane fashion coup as duo set up shop
A favourite label of Australia’s “first lady” will open a store-within-a-store in Brisbane City after closing their flagship Gold Coast outlet at the start of the year.
Kay McGrath to step down from anchor role
She is one of Queensland’s most famous faces but Kay McGrath has decided the time is right to read her final news bulletin. Find out what she’ll do next and who will replace her.