Studio 10 executive producer Rob McKnight leaves Channel 10

STUDIO 10 executive producer Rob McKnight has delivered a brutally honest message after being told his “services are no longer required” at Ten.

STUDIO 10 executive producer Rob McKnight has issued a brutally honest message after being suddenly let go from the network.

McKnight was instrumental in launching Ten’s breakfast panel show in November 2013, hosted by Sarah Harris, Jess Rowe, Joe Hildebrand, Ita Buttrose and Denise Drysdale.

Studio 10 has shown impressive growth since its inception, and has been credited with resurrecting Ten’s morning rundown and steadily closing the gap between rival programs Nine’s Today Extra and Seven’s The Morning Show.

Former Studio 10 boss Rob McKnight (right). Photo: Sam Mooy

On Monday, McKnight broke the news of his departure on social media after reportedly being told by the company that his “services were no longer required”.

Sad to say I no longer work @channelten. It’s been a difficult 4.5 years with a lot of stress (and I can handle stress... most of the time). Time to open a coffee shop!

— Robert McKnight (@rob_mcknight) November 20, 2017

It comes after the producer took weeks of unexplained leave in September, although the Daily Telegraph reports the network denied it was due to tensions on set.

Last night, McKnight penned an emotional email to staff, explaining that he’d been “close to a breakdown” in recent months.

“I always knew my passion would be my downfall and today that day has come,” he wrote in the email, obtained by news.com.au.

“It has been an extraordinarily hard 4.5 years where I have worked myself into the ground and I am paying the price for that.

“Recently, I was very close to a breakdown (let’s be honest, I was going through a breakdown) which led to my 4 weeks off. While that was a good opportunity to recharge, the ongoing pace of our under resourced show has shown the strains once again.

“Unfortunately I am not TEN material. I have been informed my services are no longer required. I am not going to spin some BS line that I resigned, I’ve always been a pretty straight up guy.

“I am sad but not bitter. I wish Studio 10 and everyone who works on it all the very best.”

Studio 10's executive producer sent an emotional letter to staff after being let go.

Channel Ten declined to comment when contacted by news.com.au.