Mel Doyle axed from Channel 7’s weekend news to make way for Michael Usher

CHANNEL 7’s weekend news anchor Melissa Doyle has responded to the news she’s been replaced by the station’s new recruit, former 60 Minutes reporter Michael Usher.

CHANNEL 7’s weekend news anchor Melissa Doyle has responded to the announcement she’s been dumped from the role in favour of former 60 Minutes reporter Michael Usher, describing the move as “exciting”.

“I’m so glad we can finally announce this next exciting new chapter. I’m moving to a full time role on our networks flagship public affairs program Sunday Night,” Doyle, who’s been hosting the current affairs program on top of her weekend news reading duties for the past 12 months, wrote in a post on Instagram.

“It’s the ultimate privilege for any journalist — to tell interesting stories, take you to fascinating places and introduce you to extraordinary people. The opportunity to do so on such a well produced and respected program is an honour.”

The announcement of Usher’s defection from Nine’s embattled flagship current affairs program came last week, just months after the Beirut scandal involving Tara Brown.

In a statement, Seven Network’s director of news and public affairs Craig McPherson said: “This is a major appointment for Sunday Night and for Mel. It allows her to give 100 per cent commitment and time to Sunday Night as it continues to grow as Australia’s number one public affairs program. With the experienced team behind her, this will be an exciting new horizon for Mel and I’m sure she will excel.”

Despite getting the axe, Doyle is said to be “very happy” with the move, according to The Daily Telegraph.

“It will give her a chance to travel with the show and work on it 100 per cent of the time,” sources at Seven revealed.

It’s been a turbulent few years for Doyle, who famously “resigned” as Sunrise co-host in 2013 to make way for Samantha Armytage.

Last year, she replaced Chris Bath on Sunday Night when Bath quit the network.

Usher will begin with Seven in October, when he will present the news on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as the Seven News Investigates series currently in production.