Annette Sharp: Matt Doran’s TV absence sparks new fears for his wellbeing

Matt Doran was missing from Weekend Sunrise last week, reigniting fears the serially erratic presenter is again seeking treatment for longstanding health issues, writes Annette Sharp.

Matt Doran’s absence from Weekend Sunrise last week has reignited talk the serially erratic presenter is again seeking treatment for longstanding health issues.

Doran was a no-show from the Seven weekend breakfast program — leaving TV bosses scrambling, say sources, to find a substitute co-host for longstanding presenter Monique Wright.

Veteran news reporter Chris Reason was called upon to step up.

Seven on Friday attempted to hose down speculation about Doran’s most recent absence.

A network spokesman said the newsman was “on leave” and did not respond to further questions.

Matt Doran was not on Weekend Sunrise last week. Picture: Foxtel

Doran in a selfie with wife Kendall Bora. Source: Instagram

Doran, said to have been a favourite of former Seven news and current affairs director Craig McPherson, has a patchy record concerning TV appearances.

It is a year almost to the day since he went MIA while on location in the Hunter Valley covering the tragic Greta bus crash that claimed 10 lives.

Doran (front right) in London with Taylor Auerbach (centre) and other crew members before the ill-fated Adele interview. Picture: Instagram

After drawing fire for being too aggressive at a June 12 press conference conducted by police, the following day Doran went missing from his hotel prior to a TV cross to Sunrise, prompting panicked Seven execs to order a search be conducted.

A police officer later found Doran “slumped in a corner” at a cafe.

It was the day after Matt Shirvington replaced David Koch at the helm of Sunrise, a role for which Doran had been previously considered a contender.

The chances of Doran winning that promotion are said to have been dealt a serious blow in 2021 after Seven was forced to spike a million-dollar interview with diva Adele conducted by Doran and produced by Seven producer Taylor Auerbach.

Doran and Auerbach had been dispatched to London to record the interview, but it was never aired because, Seven claimed, Adele had taken offence that Doran hadn’t previewed the album prior to interview. He later apologised.

Auerbach will forever be associated with his time working on Seven’s troubled Spotlight team.

Earlier this year he told a court he had racked up $10,000 on a Seven corporate credit card providing entertainment and Thai massages for Bruce Lehrmann, who he said on a second occasion had produced cocaine, while courting Lehrmann on Seven’s behalf.

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