Matt Doran’s Weekend Sunrise replacement revealed

The Seven Network has announce Matt Doran’s replacement on Weekend Sunrise, days after he officially departed the hosting chair.

The Seven Network has announce Matt Doran’s replacement on Weekend Sunrise just days after he officially departed the hosting chair.

The network announced this morning that David Woiwod will join the weekend breakfast show from this Saturday onwards, co-hosting the program with Monique Wright.

Woiwod is already a familiar face to Weekend Sunrise viewers – for four years, he often appeared on the show as a reporter before he was assigned 7News’s US Bureau Chief, where he has been based in LA for the last five years.

Seasoned journalist David Woiwod will replace Matt Doran on Weekend Sunrise. Picture: Seven

Woiwod will join the weekend breakfast show from this Saturday onwards. Picture: Seven

The appointment was foreshadowed by news.com.au last month, when columnist Annette Sharp reported Woiwod was Seven’s favoured candidate for the gig.

This week, Woiwod returned to Australia after being tapped on the shoulder for the Weekend Sunrise gig.

“Five years on the road as a foreign correspondent covering the world’s biggest events has prepared me for the major stories, early hours and bad coffee that 3am starts demand – I’m excited and ready,” he said in a statement.

Woiwod has been 7News’s US Bureau Chief for the last five years. Picture: Seven

“In all seriousness, this is a thrilling full circle moment for me. I’m beyond excited to return to the Sunrise family and to keep telling the stories that matter most to Australians.

“Mon is the most talented, generous, hilarious and wickedly smart person to work with and I look forward to riding her coattails until the bosses notice.

“Aussies lead busy lives, so to be invited into their homes on precious weekend mornings is a privilege not lost on me.”

He is already a familiar face with Sunrise viewers. Picture: Seven

Last Sunday marked Doran’s final appearance on Weekend Sunrise, a gig he had held for the last five years.

“You guys know how much I love you,“ an emotional Doran said on-air as his wife Kendall Bora and the crew gathered around him.

“It sounds like a thing that people say but the crew... Thank you to every single person here. They do the most amazing job.”

Matt Doran announced he was leaving Weekend Sunrise weeks ago in an emotional on-air statement. Picture: Seven

Co-host Monique Wright couldn’t hold back her tears. Picture: Seven

“Mon, I am going to miss you beyond words, Sal [Sally Bowrey] and Beretts [Mark Beretta] as well, give me the biggest hug you can manufacture.”

Doran announced in a teary on-air statement two weeks ago that he made the hard decision to depart his role to focus on family and other opportunities.

“I want to share with you a decision I’ve made, with my beautiful wife Kendall — and of course in earnest consultation with our beloved Italian greyhound Murphy — and that is, after five years at Weekend Sunrise, I will be finishing up at the end of the year,” he said at the time.

“I need to take a moment to emphatically and wholeheartedly thank you, our viewers, for allowing me into your loungerooms for the last half-decade,” he added. “What a monstrous honour to be afforded a few hours of your precious time on your precious weekends no less. That is one thing I have never, ever taken for granted.”