Belinda Russell breaks silence on ‘disappointing’ Weekend Today exit

Belinda Russell has broken her silence two months after her sudden departure Weekend Today, admitting she was ‘disappointed’.

Nine presenter Belinda Russell has broken her silence following her abrupt exit from Weekend Today earlier this year.

In March, Russell revealed she would no longer co-host the program and provided no reason for her sudden departure.

“Hello friends. A little career update for you,” the 44-year-old wrote at the time, alongside a highlights video of her time on the show. “My time on Weekend Today has come to an end. Thanks to those who tuned in. I hope I brought some sunshine and joy to your weekends.”

“I have loved the last year and am looking forward to future opportunities at Nine. Good luck to the team for 2023 and beyond!”

Belinda Russell was appointed co-host of Weekend Today in 2021.

Russell remains at Nine and presents the weather on Fridays and Saturdays.

Now, in a new interview with Stellar, Russell admits it’s “disappointing” to no longer be fronting the program, but she chooses to remain positive.

“It’s going to be a bit of a knock to your confidence and self-esteem but you do then think, well, what’s next? You’ve got to trust the universe and back yourself,” she told the magazine.

Last month, Nine announced Jayne Azzopardi and Clint Stanaway as the new hosts of Weekend Today, with Sophie Walsh joining the team as news presenter.

And there are no hard feelings for Russell, who remains at the network, presenting the weather on Fridays and Saturdays, filling in for weather presenter Amber Sherlock.

Belinda Russell sends new hosts Jayne Azzopardi and Clint Stanaway her well wishes.

“TV is so subjective,” she said. “One person might think something but then a million others might disagree. That’s the way the cookie crumbles and I’m not going to cry about it. It is what it is, but what’s next?”

Russell said that while she is employed at Nine, “no particular role belongs” to her – and she’s OK with that.

“If I don’t work in the TV industry any more or I leave Channel Nine, life is still going to be good,” she said.