Sharyn Ghidella announces new role at Network 10 after shock Seven axing
Sharyn Ghidella has made a high-profile return to television just weeks after being sensationally and brutally sacked by Seven.
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Veteran newsreader Sharyn Ghidella has made a high-profile return to Queensland television as the new presenter for Network 10, just weeks after being sensationally sacked by the Seven Network.
Ghidella, who was told of her dismissal last month while at the hairdressers, will now anchor 10’s 5pm Queensland news bulletin, bringing the show back to Brisbane after years of being read from Sydney.
Ghidella, whose departure from Seven ended a 17-year tenure, described the opportunity as a “full-circle moment” that she couldn’t pass up, having begun her metro news career with Network 10 back in 1990.
“Returning to 10 News First feels like coming home,” she revealed.
“Network 10 gave me my first big break in the early 90s, and to be back here, delivering a local news service for Queenslanders, is beyond exciting.”
The decision to bring Ghidella on board was made swiftly by Network 10, with Executive Editor of 10 News First Queensland, Erin Edwards, wasting no time in reaching out following Ghidella’s shock dismissal.
“Erin Edwards was on the phone pretty quickly after what happened, under the wonderful leadership of Martin White [Head of Broadcast News, Paramount Australia and New Zealand] both of them were very, very quick to call me up and to see if I was interested,” Ghidella said.
“To be honest, I wasn’t really sure what was going to be next for me when I left Seven and shown the door there – but I think it’s worked out really well in the end.”
Her family, too, is looking forward to this new opportunity — especially her two sons.
“I think my kids will be glad to get me out of the house,” she said with a laugh. “To be honest, so I can stop nagging them in the afternoons. I think they’ll be very happy to see me working at 5pm each night.”
The move is a significant shake-up for Network 10, which has been reading the Queensland bulletin out of Sydney since 2020, with Sandra Sully at the helm.
Ghidella’s arrival signals a renewed commitment to Queensland viewers, offering news “centred on what’s happening in Queensland,” as she put it.
“Local news is what impacts viewers in their everyday lives,” Ghidella emphasised.
“So to actually have a news bulletin read directly out of the studios at Mount Coot-Tha makes so much sense. We’re going to be able to give our viewers so much more local content.”
As for her abrupt exit from Seven, Ghidella remains positive.
“You never know what’s around the corner in media anymore,” she said.
“But I embrace change, I like change, and in the end, this opportunity came at just the right time.”
Ghidella also addressed speculation about her new contract, subtly dismissing rumours of a significant pay cut.
“I never talk about my pay – it’s never been about the money for me. I’m more than happy with what I’ve been offered,” she said.
Sandra Sully, who will continue presenting the Sydney bulletin, welcomed Ghidella back to Network 10, stating, “The Brisbane news is in very capable hands.”
Ghidella is set to make her debut in September at 5pm on Network 10 and 10 Play.
“I just hope the viewers come with us on this journey and help us make a real success of it,” she added.
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