Shock departure news for Weekend Sunrise host Matt Doran: ‘It’s something I’ve agonised over’

There has been shock news live on air during Weekend Sunrise with one of the hosts revealing their departure. Here’s why.

Matt Doran says he will stay on as a contributor with Channel 7 after announcing his departure from his prime hosting gig on Weekend Sunrise.

The popular TV presenter and journalist said he agonised over the decision but ultimately chose to focus on family and other work opportunities going into 2025.

“I’m working with a production company out of LA on a crime docuseries and I’m thrilled to have been asked by Seven to stay on as a contributor next year,” Doran told The Daily Telegraph.

“My wife Kendall (Bora) works so hard and deserves pancakes in bed on weekends. I’m looking forward to taking that job just as seriously.”

Bora is executive producer on Nine’s Today and the pair have often joked about the friendly rivalry they share about their jobs in TV.

Speaking exclusively to the Telegraph, Bora said: “I’m so proud of Matt and I’m really going to miss his banter with Mon (co-host Monique Wright), but I’m pretty excited to just have a husband and not a rival.”

Screen grabs from Channel 7 Sunrise this morning where Matt Doran announced he was leaving the show he co-hosts with Monique Wright. Picture: Channel 7

Doran, 41, broke down to tears as he shared the news live on air on Sunday, particularly shaken as he referenced his co-host.

“This is something I’ve agonised over because it’s honest to say this is one of the best jobs on earth, but we think it’s right – and at the right time – for our little family,” he said, also mentioning the couple’s beloved Italian greyhound, Murphy.

“While I’m sad, and I’m doing everything possible presently not to look Mon in the eye, where I am right now is honestly a place of incredible gratitude for the laughs, the lessons, the tears, the phenomenal sense of life perspective, the carousels of astonishing snacks and I guess even the tofu. It is my unshakeable belief that this role – specifically, being entrusted with the telling of people’s most intimate, most personal stories – is one of the more privileged positions on the planet.”

Screen grabs from Channel 7 Sunrise this morning where, Matt Doran announced he was leaving the show he co-hosts with Monique Wright. Picture: Channel 7

Doran, 41, will present his final episode after five years on Weekend Sunrise on Sunday, December 8.

“Mon, you are not just a colleague, you are my best friend and I am going to miss you, any chance of a hug?” he said, Wright joining him on camera at that moment.

“I am going to miss you.”

Wright described Doran as “a brilliant broadcaster” and “one of the funniest, most self-deprecating people I’ve ever met”.

“Our friendship and laughs will continue off screen and while I’ll miss him terribly at work, I’m so happy for Matt and Kenny (Bora) and for them to now enjoy their much-deserved weekends together,” she said.

Weekend Sunrise hosts Matt Doran and Monique Wright.

Doran joined the Seven Network in 2017 as a senior correspondent with then long-form news and public affairs show, Sunday Night.

He took on the job alongside Wright on Weekend Sunrise in October 2019.

“Matt has been an integral and much-loved member of the Weekend Sunrise family,” Seven Director of Morning Television Sarah Stinson said.

“His warmth, humour, and unique perspective have brought so much to our mornings over the past five years. While we will greatly miss him, we are excited for his next chapter and extend our heartfelt thanks for all he has contributed – not only to our viewers but to the entire team.”

Seven Director of News and Current Affairs and Seven West Media Editor-in-Chief Anthony De Ceglie said: “We thank Matt for his commitment to the network for nearly a decade, include five standout years as co-host of Weekend Sunrise. His passion for news and on-air rapport with Monique have been key to the program’s continued ratings dominance. His skill in live reporting and brave investigations in that time are also to be commended, bringing critical stories to audiences that have driven meaningful change. We wish Matt nothing but the best for the future.”

Previously he worked at Channel 10 on shows including The Project, Ten News and Wanted, as well as Foxtel’s Crimes That Shook Australia.

Matt Doran filling in for Larry Emdur alongside and Kylie Gillies hosting The Morning Show on Channel 7.

Matt Doran and partner Kendall Bora. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Doran also spent time in the US in 2015 hosting America’s Crime Watch Daily.

He is a Bachelor of Media and Communications graduate of Melbourne University.

Doran has been open about his mental health battles over the years and is understood to be in a “good place” now.

In September while presenting a segment with a psychologist, he said: “I’ve had huge problems with depression over the last couple of years, too, but people, I think, are still frightened to come forward and say that.”

Seven is yet to reveal who will join Wright on the show in 2025.