Queensland presenters react to Seven’s decision to axe three local shows

Queensland’s slate of Channel 7 presenters have shared their shock and devastation over news their shows have been axed, with one big name admitting she found out via text.

THE raft of presenters across Channel 7’s axed Queensland lifestyle shows have expressed their “shock” and “devastation” over the network’s decision to cut the local programming from their 2020 line-up.

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Laurel Edwards, who has been with The Great Day Out – formerly The Great South East – for 22 years, was among those who spoke out after the network announced on Wednesday that the show, along with Creek to Coast and Queensland Weekender, would cease production at the end of the year in order to bolster the budget of newly-commissioned national prime time shows.

Seven Queensland boss Ben Roberts-Smith, who informed the staff across the three shows on Wednesday, told The Courier-Mail the difficult decision was in the company’s “best interests”.

4KQ breakfast radio presenter Laurel Edwards has been presenting on Seven’s The Great Day Out for 22 years. Photo: Annette Dew

“I found out via text from a friend of a friend, which is sort of worse,” Edwards told Hit 105’s Stav, Abby and Matt this morning.

“It’s sad when such a beautiful part of your life has ended so quickly like that.”

“Times move on and we all have to accept decisions that are made but it doesn’t change the fact that we are devastated at what’s happened.”

Edwards continued that it was the small local businesses that featured across the local weekend titles that would be impacted the hardest by the cuts.

“The only way we can let people know that they’re there is through shows like this,” she continued. “The saddest thing is now these people can’t afford to advertise on a national level or through national shows so I worry for them because they are the people that make up this incredible state.”

Roberts-Smith told The Courier-Mail on Wednesday that the production staff and presenters would be able to pick up future work on national programs that would be produced out of Brisbane.

Courtney Thorpe, pictured with The Great Day Out co-presenter Billy Bentley, was among those to express her disappointment over the show’s axing. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

When asked by the breakfast radio crew if she believed that was feasible, Edwards replied: “Not for a 53 year old woman who wants to stay put in beautiful old Brisbane. I’m not too sure about that. I guess they might have some ideas, but it is a sad day … it’s a bit of an emotional day.”

Sally Jenyns, who has presented on Creek to Coast since its inception 20 years ago, took to Instagram to share her disappointment at receiving the “thoughtless” news shortly before Christmas.

“DEVASTATED and SHOCKED … or maybe not shocked, because this is this industry and thoughtless decisions are so often made right before Christmas …(like why ditch top rating much loved television that champions Queenslanders and their businesses, big and small),” she wrote.

Jess Skarratt had been presenting with Seven for 12 years. Photo: Jerad Williams

“I’m proud to have survived, or maybe even flourished, during 20+ years, working with very talented people, many who have brought out the best in me and become very dear friends. Thank you Crazy TV Land for all the recipes shared, adventures had and fish caught … Bon Voyage!”

The Great Day Out presenter Courtney Thorpe wrote that she was “absolutely devastated about the news that Channel 7 has axed all local production”, adding that working on the show was “a dream come true”.

“What a sad day for Queensland TV,” she continued.

Fellow presenter Jess Skarratt echoed Thorpe’s sentiments.

“Incredibly sad day … It’s been an absolute privilege to have been a part of the team for 12 years. And to have helped shared the stories behind so many small businesses and destinations,” she wrote.

Queensland Weekender’s Victoria Carthew wrote that she was “sad for our extraordinary tourism operators and small businesses from around the state whose stories we no longer get to tell”.

“Despite being at the top of our game we are no more,” she said on Instagram.

“Lots of tears shed, not for me, I’ve been blessed with this gig for longer than I ever could have imagined.”

Jillian Whiting added: “This is a huge loss for local tourism and television”.

Originally published as Queensland presenters react to Seven’s decision to axe three local shows