Seven’s Matt Doran given time off to ‘to focus on his mental health’

The scandal involving his recent failed Adele interview coupled with the pressure of looking after his unwell mum have taken Channel 7 reporter Matt Doran ‘to breaking point’.

The news anchor who made international headlines when he upset superstar singer Adele has been relieved of his duties “to focus on his mental health”.

The Sunday Telegraph understands Matt Doran has checked into a mental health rehabilitation facility. The 38-year-old was missing from his Weekend Sunrise program last week and is expected to take a few more weeks off.

It is believed Matt Doran has checked into a mental health rehabilitation facility, suffering ‘severe and chronic depression’. Picture: Tim Hunter

Family sources said the pressure of looking after his ill mother and the scandal involving his recent failed Adele interview had resulted in him hitting “breaking point”.

“He is battling severe and chronic depression,” the source said.

Seven production sources this week claimed Channel 7 bosses had instructed them to ask no questions concerning Doran’s absence. Seven on Saturday confirmed his absence.

Doran lives with and looks after his mother Paula, while she is battling a rare disease.

But it is the fallout from his disastrous Adele interview that is said to have put the TV personality, who has worked with Seven for five years, into a “terrible head space”.

Doran made headlines around the world in November after a botched interview with global singer Adele ­resulted in him being suspended for two weeks.

Moran’s Adele blunder made headlines around the world. Picture: Simon Emmett

The TV host had flown to England for the exclusive sit-down on November 4, however The Sunday Telegraph revealed Sony refused to allow Seven to use the footage after he admitted to the British singer he’d only heard one song.

It resulted in an “unreserved” two-and-a-half minute apology to Adele and her fans.

“I made the terrible mistake of assuming we weren’t to be given a preview copy of this album because our interview was airing before it was released and Adele’s album was the industry’s most prized secret,” he said.

“The genuine, deadset, hand-on-heart truth is that I missed it. By an absurdly long margin the most important email I’ve ever missed in my life.”

On Mother’s Day last year, a teary eyed Doran spoke of his relationship with his mother.

“No one can work out what is wrong with her,” he said.

The Channel 7 reporter looks after his mum, who is battling a health condition.

“She has just been a warrior, she is gorgeous. Mum, you are absolutely everything to me and I wish you the happiest Mother’s Day. I would be nothing without you. You’ve made me everything I am today and I love you to the world and back.”

He also spoke of his health fears for her when he was forced to take two weeks off from the program in ­August after being named as a close Covid-19 contact.

“She’s very unwell with chronic anaemia, so any suggestion of Covid-19, particularly from me, is just the worse case scenario,” he said.

Doran married Kendall Bora in an intimate wedding at Berowra Waters on the Hawkesbury River on December 25.

Bora is the executive producer for rival network Channel 9’s Weekend Today program.

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