Nine star Rebecca Maddern leaves network

She was the first female co host of The Footy Show and went on to front Weekend Today, but has abruptly left the network.

Co-host of Weekend Today and Australian Ninja Warrior Rebecca Maddern has quit Nine.

She left the network, where she has worked for the past five and a half years, after extended contract negotiations.

It is understood Maddern and the network could not come to an agreement on terms for a new deal.

Maddern didn’t appear on Weekend Today on Saturday or Sunday.

“Bec has been a great contributor to Nine since she joined us and we wish her well for the future,” a Nine spokesman said.

Rebecca Maddern spent five years at the network. Picture: Instagram/ Supplied

She was a part of a lot of Nine’s sports coverage.

Maddern joined Nine in March 2016 as part of The Footy Show and was the first female co-host, shooting her to national prominence.

She then went on to be a part of its coverage of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, 2019 Ashes Series in England as well as the Australian Open.

The 44-year-old’s departure means the coveted role of the host of Australian Ninja Warrior is up for grabs, after fellow anchor Ben Fordham left the hosting role mid year.

Ben Fordham, Nick Kyrgios, Rebecca Maddern and Shane Crawford. Picture: Nigel Wright

Her departure comes as a shake up of Weekend Today was already in the works. Picture: Instagram/ Supplied

Weekend Today’s weather presenter Lauren Phillips announced earlier this month her departure from the show so she could concentrate on her Melbourne breakfast radio role with Kiss FM, with her last day on Sunday.

Nine has previously launched an overhaul of Weekend Today.

The refresh of the hosting line up for the show in 2022 will include Charles Croucher, Belinda Russell and Richard Wilkins, while Jayne Azzopardi will remain as the show’s news reader.

A new weather presenter for the show is yet to be announced.