Sunrise star Mark Beretta on the 'harrowing' years that led him to leave

The beloved breakfast TV star admits he “could see what was coming” at Seven and chose to leave before being pushed out.

In a linen shirt, shorts and a pair of Birks, Mark Beretta is a far cry from the man who has fronted up for breakfast television most days for the past 22 years, buttoned up in a suit and tie.

Perhaps it’s the knowledge that he has seven more 4am trips across the Harbour Bridge.

Perhaps it’s the knowledge that he has found the gangplank for a ship that is slowly sinking.

Not Sunrise, specifically, it is enjoying its strongest ratings ever – but free-to-air television which is in the midst of an existential crisis

So Beretta’s early retirement is timely, even if it is unexpected.

“22 years at Sunrise, just over 30 years at Seven, Honestly, it’s been amazing,” he says.

“I pinch myself, I’m just a plumber’s son from Geelong.”

But two weeks ago that all came to a halt when he revealed live on air that he was finishing up at Sunrise.

High Steaks with broadcaster Mark Baretta. Picture: Richard Dobson

Beretta had appeared on earlier iterations of Sunrise, as early as 2000, but he formally joined the program in 2003 – the beginning of the Sunrise we know today.

But last week, live on air, he announced it was all over.

Over an enormous rib-eye steak at Neutral Bay’s Oaks Hotel, Berrets, as he is affectionately known, reveals for the first time that his departure from Seven was slightly more nuanced than the network would have us believe.

Mark Beretta announced his departure from Sunrise. Image: Sunrise

“It’s fair to say it was a combination (of the Network’s choice and mine). I could see what was coming and I didn’t want to hang around for that,” he says.

“TV is tough. It’s never been tougher. In my 30 years, I’ve never seen anything like it. In my case, it just got to a point where it all came together at the right time. After 22 years I felt it was enough and I need a break.

“And, to be honest, it’s been a harrowing couple of years. There’s been a lot going on away from Sunrise and it’s time for a reset.”

Daily Telegraph journalist Nathanael Cooper with Mark Beretta. Picture: Richard Dobson

He isn’t being hyperbolic when he describes the last few years as harrowing.

In 2019 his mother Joan was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer, then in 2022, has father David was also diagnosed with cancer. The following year, his marriage ended with his wife of 22 years, Rachel.

Earlier this year, David passed away, and that loss began the process of thinking that there was more to life than Sunrise.

“I was so glad I took three weeks off, went down (to Geelong, where his parents live) and spent it with him,” he says.

“At that stage he had a lot he wanted to tell me and I had a lot of questions for him and we just talked a lot and, you know, I want to have that time with my mum as well.”

Mark Beretta opens up about why he left Sunrise. Picture: Richard Dobson

Just a few hours before we met, Beretta had received a call from his mother’s doctor letting him know the cancer had progressed and developed into a secondary cancer.

“We don’t have a lot of time left with her and that’s a big part of my thinking at the moment,” he says. “The job is great and it’s fun and I get a lot of satisfaction out of it. But, I don’t want to lose this time. I don’t want to lose these moments. So, you know, I’ll grab them.”

Sunrise Mel, Nat, Beretts, Kochie, Grant. Supplied: Channel7

Supporting him through the decision to leave Sunrise, or as he calls it, the decision to make himself “uncomfortable”, and the loss of his father and his mother’s illness are his daughter Ava, who is just about to qualify as a paramedic, and his son Dan, who is currently on schoolies.

And then there is a mysterious woman who he becomes immediately bashful about when asked.

“I do have a friend at the moment,” he says coyly, and I immediately wish our camera was still there to capture this extremely off-brand moment of boyishness.

He won’t reveal who she is, but he speaks glowingly of her.

Mark with dad David, mum wife Joan, and brothers Chris and Paul.

The Rib Eye Steak at The Oaks Hotel at Neutral Bay in Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson

“She’s been by my side through the time with dad, and dad loved her, which is great. She’s great. She’s super kind and super supportive,” he says.

“And that’s another part of it, too, she’s been there with me to work through this process (of leaving Seven) as well.”

What the future looks like is also a mystery. His immediate plans are to spend time with his mum and take a trip around Australia in a campervan. The good thing about a three decade career in one place is the racked up leave does give someone a comfortable buffer to take a break.

Beyond that there is one thing he is certain about – he doesn’t want to be far away from sport.

And it may not be in front of the camera – unlike others who have walked away from the bright lights of showbiz only to find themselves suffering from relevancy deprivation syndrome, Beretta doesn’t mind where in the business he sits.

“I will not suffer relevancy issues,” he says with a hearty chuckle,

“I’m really happy. I’ve had a wonderful time and um if I come back it’s because of the passion for sport and TV, not the passion for Mark on TV.

“I could be doing anything … producing shows, I could be involved with the Olympics in 2032. or the AOC or something. I don’t know. But I won’t be far from sport ever.”

Originally published as Sunrise star Mark Beretta on the 'harrowing' years that led him to leave