High-profile Qld star Sharyn Ghidella axed by Channel 7 after nearly 20 years

Max Futcher has farewelled his co-host Sharyn Ghidella in a moving tribute during last night’s Seven News bulletin, which he hosted alone. WATCH THE VIDEO

Max Futcher has delivered a heartfelt farewell to his Seven News co-host Sharyn Ghidella after a brutal axing on Friday ended her 38-year career.

Ghidella told Channel 7 staff that she was leaving effective immediately and that her exit “is not quite how I expected it to end”.

Her departure follows a string of redundancies at the station’s Queensland newsrooms, with popular Gold Coast weather presenter Paul Burt among those not offered a new contract.

Ghidella was informed of her dismissal while she was at the hairdressers.

Futcher opened Friday’s 6pm bulletin, which he hosted alone, with a moving tribute to Ghidella.

Seven News hosts Max Futcher and Sharyn Ghidella.

“First tonight, she didn’t want a farewell, and she’s too humble to want us to make a fuss. But we would like to thank Sharyn Ghidella for her 17 wonderful years behind the desk here at 7News Brisbane,” he said.

“A true professional, an accomplished journalist, and for all of us here – a friend and mentor. And my good mate.

Sharyn Ghidella has told Channel 7 staff that she is leaving effective immediately. Picture: Tara Croser.

“We know Sharyn has also been a big part of your lives, and we know she sees that role as a great privilege.

“Sharyn leaves with our respect, our admiration, and wishes for an amazing future.

“Love you Shaz.”

Sharyn Ghidella is a St Patrick's College, Townsville graduate.

On Friday, Ghidella paid thanks to her co-workers in an emotional email, saying she “couldn’t have worked with a nicer, more talented bunch of people” and said she would be making a clean break.

“After 17 years at 7, apparently, my time is up,” she wrote.

“It’s not quite how I expected it to end after 38 years in the industry, but hey, that’s TV.

“I will certainly miss the friendships and the fun we have had, around what is, the serious business of news.”

Sharyn Ghidella and Max Futcher at the Eagle Farm Racecourse.

Ghidella was offered an on-air farewell but declined – saying she doesn’t have “the intestinal fortitude”.

In a statement, Seven Director of News and Current Affairs and Seven West Media editor-in-chief, Anthony De Ceglie, said Ghidella had made a “significant contribution” to the network over the past 17 years.

“We are grateful for her hard work and are sorry to see her go,” he said.

“She leaves with sincere thanks from everyone at Seven and our very best wishes for the future.”

Seven Brisbane director of news Michael Coombes said she was a “mentor, a colleague and a friend” to many at the station.

“For 17 years, Sharyn has been a welcome guest in loungerooms across Queensland – always professional, always reliable, always warm,” he said.

“But for all of us, she is so much more.

Anthony De Ceglie, editor-in-chief at Seven West Media, said he was sorry to see Ghidella go. Picture – Supplied

“A mentor, a colleague, a friend. I have nothing but admiration and gratitude for Sharyn. And we wish her every success for the future.”

A Queensland girl through and through, Ghidella cut her teeth in regional TV in North Queensland and worked for Ten, 9 and 7 during her career.

She was a newsreader on the Today Show at 9 before joint Channel 7 in 2007.

Ghidella also took to Facebook to describe being “tapped on the shoulder”.

“When you work in TV for as long as I have, not a day goes by when you aren’t expecting the proverbial tap on the shoulder, she wrote.

Gold Coast weather presenter Paul Burt was also recently axed by the network. Picture: Supplied

“After 38 years, my shoulder tap has finally come.

“It wasn’t quite how I expected it to end at Channel 7.

“I was actually sitting at the hairdressers for work, when I got the call informing me, that after 17 years with the network, my time was up.

“And while somewhat saddened by this decision, there is also some sense of relief.

Sharyn Ghidella poses at International Women's Day lunch in 2018. Picture: Claudia Baxter

“As has been widely reported, the past couple of weeks in TV has, sadly, been a miserable affair.

“A long list of talented, loyal and dedicated employees have been shown the door, in what seems to have been an interminable process of pulling the band-aid off slowly when it comes to removing what’s been deemed excess stock from the building.”

She also thanked everyone who had helped “a kid from Babinda” during her career.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” she wrote.

“Couldn’t have expected more. I have worked alongside the best in the business at the premier television newsrooms in the country and the many friendships I’ve made, I will always hold dear.”

Channel 7 staffers are reportedly saddened by the news, with insiders calling the decision “awful.”

Originally published as High-profile Qld star Sharyn Ghidella axed by Channel 7 after nearly 20 years