‘Pretty distressing’: Former Today reporter lifts lid on exit from breakfast show

The much-loved Nine reporter describes the harrowing moment he realised he needed to shift his priorities completely and leave the Nine network.

Channel Nine reporter Clint Stanaway, 42, has candidly shared the real reason he decided to leave his hosting role on Weekend Today and from the entire TV network.

After 25 years with the network, charismatic Clint, who was a familiar face that popped up on weekend news and sports programs, made the shock decision to leave TV completely.

At the time, he cited a “better work-life” balance as his reason for his departure and it wasn’t long after that he announced he would be focusing on his career in breakfast radio, as news reporter on Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren show.

Clint Stanaway wants to focus his time with Nova 100 Breakfast team. Picture: Nova

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Appearing on Big Bros podcast, Clint opened up about how his mental health was being challenged as well as his physical health thanks to all of his commitments while working with the Today family.

“Physically, first and foremost, I was just getting sick a lot, pushing the envelope,” he shared.

“I had really bad gut issues, I was getting headaches, I wasn’t sleeping well, which is ironic, because I was so tired, but I just couldn’t sleep.”

The reporter then went on to describe the harrowing moment he realised he needed to shift his priorities completely.

“It was scary. I was getting chest issues, like I had chest pain... and a bit of anxiety as well,” he recalled.

“When I finished work, I was going home because I was exhausted. I’d sit on the couch, go to bed.

“In fact, every day was set an alarm, go to bed, wake up, go to work, and sometimes go to work radio, go to work TV in the same day, come home at seven o’clock, make my dinner, sit on the couch, go to bed. That was all I was doing.”

Clint, here with fellow Nine reporter Christine Ahern. Picture: Supplied/Channel Nine/David Cook

Lauren Phillips and Clint Stanaway both worked at Nine before moving across to radio. Picture: Mike Tarr Photography

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Clint’s inability to do anything else other than work meant his social life also took a battering, and he describes not being able to see his friends and loved ones as a “pretty distressing” time.

Clint announced his departure from Nine in September, addressing the move in a heartfelt post on social media.

“When I first walked into the Nine Newsroom as an 18-year-old, I knew instantly it was the place for me. I’ve always treasured my job, be it on Nine News, as co-host of Weekend Today or as part of the Wide World of Sports team,” he shared on Instagram.

“It’s been a huge workload juggling both TV and being part of the Melbourne Nova breakfast team over the past couple of years. I am passionate about my new found love for radio and have decided to give it priority moving forward, while I also look to strike a better work/life balance. Unfortunately that means departing Nine.”

Clint’s news comes after Nine confirmed this week that Samantha Armytage would be joining the wider Today family, stepping in for David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys on the summer series of Today Extra.

The Golden Bachelor host will be hitting the hosting desk from mid December along with Nova radio personality Michael “Wippa” Wipfli.

The former Sunrise host’s new move comes as rumours of Karl Stefanovic’s greater plan to have Sam replace current host Sarah Abo as his co-host have circulated.

Despite the whispers, Karl is confirmed to be returning with Sarah on Monday, January 19, 2026.