Ita Buttrose to depart Studio 10 tomorrow

TODAY’S episode of Studio 10 will be Ita Buttrose’s last after four and a half years with the show, Channel 10 has confirmed.

ITA Buttrose will depart Studio 10 during today’s episode of the breakfast morning show, Channel 10 has confirmed.

The confirmation came after television industry website TV Tonight reported that Buttrose, who has been with the show for four and a half years, will finish her on-air duties during tomorrow’s Anzac Day episode.

In a statement, Channel 10 said Buttrose’s “experience, intelligence, warmth and insights have been an invaluable part of the show”.

In the statement, Buttrose said she’d had five great years on Studio 10.

“But it is time to move on and focus on other parts of my life, including spending more time with my grandchildren and writing,” she said.

Channel 10 chief content officer, Beverley McGarvey, said: “We are very sad to see Ita leave Studio 10. She has been with the show since day one and has been a wonderful member of the team.”

“Ita is a true legend of the Australian media and a great colleague. Everyone at Studio 10

and Network Ten, as well as her many fans, will miss her but we fully understand and

support her decision to step away from the show. She is, of course, welcome to come home to Studio 10 at any time.”

Buttrose’s alleged departure comes just weeks after co-host Jessica Rowe announced she was leaving the program, explaining on air that she wished to spend more time with her family.

Rowe served out several more weeks on the show after her announcement, eventually finishing on March 30.

The media veteran, 76, was at the centre of much media speculation earlier this year regarding rumours of a feud with fellow Studio 10 panellist Denise Drysdale.

In February, news.com.au reported claims by sources that there was so much tension between Buttrose and Drysdale that the pair are no longer talking off camera, a claim which Network 10 described as “nonsense”.

Sarah Harris, Joe Hildebrand, Jessica Rowe, Denise Drysdale and Ita Buttrose on Studio 10.

Tempers between the two were understood to have flared late last year when Drysdale allegedly threw a Brussels sprout at her colleague during a cooking segment.

The show’s executive producer, Rob McKnight, exited the network in the wake of the incident and is now employed by Newscorp, publisher of this website.

TV Tonight reports that actor and comedian Denise Scott will now join the Studio 10 line-up, appearing every second week as an alternative to Drysdale.