Latest news with #ChannelNine

Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Jelena Dokic stuns fans as Aussie tennis star looks slimmer than ever in pyjamas while on holiday in Croatia - after debuting new romance
Jelena Dokic has stunned fans as she appeared slimmer than ever before in a photo of herself posing casually in pyjamas while on holiday. The retired tennis great, 42, has publicly chronicled her weight loss journey after shedding about 20 kilos through diet and lifestyle changes. She credits her success to a healthy diet and an exercise regimen, which includes working out at the gym at 6am while working 18-hour days. Dokic took to Instagram on Sunday to showcase her trimmed-down figure in a pastel blue robe on a getaway in her home country of Croatia. In her photo, Jelena looked cheerful and relaxed, wearing white hotel slippers and holding a cup of tea as she basked in the sun's rays. Her hair was gathered loosely in a bun, complementing her natural makeup-free look, and she took to the caption with a heart-warming note. "Slow mornings are the best," Dokic wrote alongside an emoji of tea, the sun and a smiling face with hearts. Fans flooded the comments to say Jelena looked great on her well-deserved getaway following commentating on the Wimbledon tennis tournament, where she reached the semifinals at 16 years old in 2000. "Look at you. What a beautiful transformation, body and soul. Enjoy beautiful lady," one fan wrote. "Wow! Jelena, you look amazing! You are back into your figure when you were playing tennis," another person said. One more fan who was in awe of Dokic's physical transformation said: "How did you lose so much weight? You look amazing". A third fan said the Aussie star looked gorgeous in her photo, adding, "It's good to slow Croatia." "Such an inspirational lady," another person added. A sixth pointed out how "happy, content and peaceful" Jelena appeared. "I'm so inspired by your life experiences and the way you've dig deep to overcome the pain and suffering," they said. The beloved tennis star, who retired from professional tennis in 2014, was nominated for her first-ever Logie award for the Channel 9 documentary Unbreakable, about her turbulent life on and off the court. In the documentary, Dokic harrowingly detailed her father and coach Damir Dokic's alleged physical, emotional and financial abuse, allegedly occurring regularly throughout her childhood and professional career. Jelena ultimately cut ties with her father before his death in May and completely rebooted her career. In 2009, she enjoyed an unforgettable run at the Australian Open after entering the draw as a wildcard and advancing to the quarter-finals. Following her retirement, her career continued as a highly sought-after commentator for all four Grand Slams on Channel Nine. Jelena's love life also took off with her whirlwind career off the court. She went public with her new boyfriend Yane Veselinov earlier this month following weeks of speculation about who the mystery man was. Dokic took to Instagram to reveal the identity of her new beau just weeks after published bombshell footage of the pair getting cosy at Melbourne Airport. "You are my calm, safe, peaceful and happy place. So glad I found you," Dokic wrote alongside a romantic snap with her new partner. Yane is a hospitality operations manager who on Instagram describes himself as a "food and wine enthusiast, pleasure seeker and life enjoyer". It comes after Dokic split from her previous partner, Bukic, in late 2022 after an almost two-decade-long relationship.


Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Alex Cullen announces TV return after being stood down by Nine over Adrian Portelli scandal
Alex Cullen has made a major career announcement following his shock dismissal from Channel Nine. The former Today Show presenter was dumped by Nine earlier this year after he accepted a $50,000 payment from The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli for calling him 'McLaren Man' live on air. Now, it has been revealed that the journalist is set to return to television following the scandal. Speaking to Stellar magazine on Sunday, the 44-year-old revealed he will be joining 7News. 'After everything went down [at Nine this year], Seven were one of the first on the phone to say: 'You have our support, and if you want to come back, we're a phone call away",' he said. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I can't tell you how much that meant to me and my family,' he told the publication. He went on to say that he is excited to see some of his old colleagues at the network after previously working at Seven on shows including Sunrise and Sunday Night. 'It's not very nice being the story,' he said, adding: 'It's better telling the story.' In January, Today host Karl Stefanovic made the announcement that Alex had parted ways with the network live on air. 'As most of you are well aware, our colleague Alex Cullen has not been on air with us this past week,' a solemn Stefanovic told viewers. 'There has been widespread reporting on the circumstances surrounding this. What I can say is that last night, Alex and Nine agreed that he would finish with the network. 'Alex has, of course, been part of the Today family for five years now – he's always ready with a smile and a laugh and without hesitation speaking for all of us here, we can say that we are going to miss him terribly - that's for sure.' The scandal kicked off when Portelli, growing tired of his long-used nickname 'Mr Lambo', offered a cash reward to the first person to use his new moniker, 'McLaren Man', on air. The Block entrepreneur then posted what appeared to be a bank transfer of $50,000 to the presenter on Instagram. Accepting cash, gifts or benefits to undermine journalistic independence, as well as improperly using a journalistic position for personal gain, are both breaches of the journalism code of ethics as defined by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance.. The ill-advised stunt led to Cullen being suspended by Nine, and he did not appear on the show while the network investigated the payment. The sum was donated to charity by Portelli. Nine's parting of ways with Cullen went ahead despite Portelli's claim that Cullen intended the money to be paid to charity all along. Portelli posted details of two $25,000 payments made on his behalf to both the Salvation Army and the RSPCA. 'Alex Cullen… on behalf of you, mate, $25,000 to the Salvation Army and $25,000 to the RSPCA,' Portelli wrote on Instagram. 'I've kept pretty quiet about what unfolded with Alex, but even before he'd heard from Ch9, we had a conversation where he expressed his desire to donate the money. 'That speaks volumes about his character. Alex, you're an absolute gentleman. 'If Ch9 let you go (though I really hope they don't!), I'd be more than happy to collaborate with you on something. True class, mate!' Following his departure from Nine, Alex picked up a new role in June, as a sports presenter on Melbourne's Gold 1043.3's top-rating breakfast program The Christian O'Connell Show.


Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Penny Spence dead: Award winning TV presenter dies as tributes pour in
Penny Spence, who was one of Australia's first female newsreaders, has died at the age of 83. Her cause of death has not been confirmed. Australian TV presenter Penny Spence has passed away at 83. Penny was the first female newsreader in Australia's history. Her cause of death remains unconfirmed. Penny, who rose to fame in the late 1960s as one of the first women to read the news on TV in Australia, died earlier this month. The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia shared the sombre news on social media, stating: "We're saddened to hear of the passing of Penny Spence, a trailblazer in Australian television. Spence was part of a pioneering group of women who were the first women to read television news in Australia." Fiona Dear, Nine's Director of News and Current Affairs, paid tribute to Spence's groundbreaking career in a statement to Mediaweek: "Penny was a trailblazer for women in our industry, laying the path for countless women in television. With two Logies awarded to her, she was one of the country's most high profile news presenters for decades, and was one of the icons who made 9News 'still the one'. Her legacy lives on in TV newsrooms across the country and we send our condolences to her family." Before her time on Channel Nine, Penny fronted a women's current affairs programme on TCN9 – Channel Nine's broadcasting station. The Channel Nine icon became a household name in the late 1960s, presenting the afternoon news bulletin in New South Wales, while Brian Henderson took on the evening slot. Spencer's remarkable career was recognised with a Logie Award for Most Popular Female Personality in NSW in 1969, reports the Express. As tributes pour in, one individual reminisced: "I remember Penny as one of the best executives involved in children's television in the 1980s. Vale." Another simply expressed: "Very sad to hear this." After her stint at Channel Nine, Spencer took on a behind-the-scenes role, overseeing children's programming at the Nine Network. She later held the position of Executive Producer for the European Broadcasting Union's children's unit and was in charge of the popular 1985 Ray Meagher mini-series Colour in the Creek. The TV star then took her talents overseas as she became the Executive Producer of the European Broadcasting Union's children's unit and was at the helm of the popular 1985 series Colour in the Creek. Spencer also had a hand in several successful films such as Shipmates (1987), Sovereign Hill (1990), Hinkler: The Aviator (1990), and The Water Trolley (1988), which earned an International Emmy nomination. Her works live on as a selection of her produced works have been archived by the NFSA (National Film and Sound Archive of Australia). She was previously married to Channel Nine's musical director Geoff Harvey, who passed away in 2019, and is survived by her daughters Eugenie and Charlotte.


Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Alex Cullen breaks his silence on shock sacking from Channel Nine: 'It was the toughest week of my career'
Alex Cullen has spoken out about his shock sacking from Channel Nine. The Today show reporter was sacked by the network after he accepted a $50,000 gift from The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli for calling him 'McLaren Man' live on air. Reflecting on the incident with Stellar this week, the journalist said it was the most difficult moment of his working life. 'It was the hardest, toughest week of my career by a country mile,' he said. 'You are in the eye of the storm. You're the front page of the Herald Sun.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. When asked, with the benefit of hindsight, if he was glad he was let go, Alex said that he hadn't quite decided. 'I haven't quite come to an answer on that yet,' he said. Today host Karl Stefanovic made the announcement that Alex had parted ways with the network live on air in January. 'As most of you are well aware, our colleague Alex Cullen has not been on air with us this past week,' a solemn Stefanovic told viewers. 'There has been widespread reporting on the circumstances surrounding this. What I can say is that last night, Alex and Nine agreed that he would finish with the network. 'Alex has, of course, been part of the Today family for five years now – he's always ready with a smile and a laugh and without hesitation speaking for all of us here, we can say that we are going to miss him terribly, that's for sure.' A Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia at the time: 'Nine has agreed with Today presenter and journalist Alex Cullen that he will finish with the network following a review into a recent incident.' The scandal kicked off when Adrian Portelli, growing tired of his long-used nickname 'Mr Lambo', offered a cash reward to the first person to use his new moniker, 'McLaren Man', on air. The Block entrepreneur then posted what appeared to be a bank transfer of $50,000 to the presenter on Instagram. Accepting cash, gifts or benefits to undermine journalistic independence, and improperly using a journalistic position for personal gain, are both breaches of the journalism code of ethics as defined by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance union. The ill-advised stunt led to Cullen being suspended by Nine, and he did not appear on the show while the network investigated the payment. The sum has been donated to charity by Portelli. Nine's parting of ways with Cullen went ahead despite Portelli's claim that Cullen intended the money to be paid to charity all along. Portelli posted details of $25,000 payments made on his behalf to both the Salvation Army and the RSPCA. 'Alex Cullen… on behalf of you, mate, $25,000 to the Salvation Army and $25,000 to the RSPCA,' Portelli wrote on Instagram. 'I've kept pretty quiet about what unfolded with Alex, but even before he'd heard from Ch9, we had a conversation where he expressed his desire to donate the money. 'That speaks volumes about his character. Alex, you're an absolute gentleman. 'If Ch9 let you go (though I really hope they don't!), I'd be more than happy to collaborate with you on something. True class, mate!' Following his departure from Nine, Alex picked up a new role in June, as a sports presenter on Melbourne 's Gold 1043.3's top-rating breakfast program The Christian O'Connell Show. 'Alex Cullen is a brilliant journalist who is looking for a job! You might recognise the name, he's the guy who took the $50,000... That's our guy!' Christian began. Christian added the commercial radio sector had different rules than TV and so they were happy to welcome Alex to their team. 'Now Channel Nine might go, "Listen, we can't have that", but commercial breakfast radio... we are very much up for payola! Don't worry Alex, you have found a home here, my friend,' he said. Alex shared his excitement at joining the show in a statement. 'This is such an exciting next chapter for me,' he wrote. 'I actually started my career in radio, so to be coming back to it and joining a show that's so loved and so full of heart is a real thrill. 'I can't wait to be on air with Christian, Pats and Rio, and to get to know Melbourne – my family and I are thrilled to be making it our new home.'

ABC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
British and Irish Lions vs Wallabies: How to watch, when is kick-off and who is playing?
Twelve years of anticipation will end on Saturday night when the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions face off in the first of three Test matches, at Lang Park in Brisbane. The historic rugby tour sees Australia's finest take on the very best players from four nations in an event that comes to our shores once every dozen years. ABC Sport will live blog the first Test between the British and Irish Lions and the Wallabies on Saturday, July 19, from Lang Park in Brisbane. Here is what you need to know about the first Test between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions. The first Test between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions will be played on Saturday, July 19, at Lang Park in Brisbane. Here is the kick-off time in each state and territory, as well as the UK, Ireland and the other SANZAAR rugby nations: In Australia, the Test match will be shown on free-to-air by broadcaster Channel Nine. The match will also be streamed online through the Nine Network's 9now. Nine's streaming platform, Stan Sport, will also be broadcasting the match live. Here are host broadcasters in other parts of the world: You can follow the action on ABC Sport, through the live blog as well as commentary online, and via the ABC Listen app. The British and Irish Lions are an international representative rugby team, with the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales being eligible for selection. The first tour, although unsanctioned, was in 1888 with players representing the British Isles playing matches in Australia and New Zealand. The Lions have regularly toured Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The Lions did not play against the Wallabies between 1966 and 1989, however, they did play against Queensland and New South Wales during their tour of 1971 to New Zealand. The 1989 Lions tour of Australia began the current four-year cycle of Lions tours to the southern hemisphere. The Lions rotate between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, meaning they only tour each of these nations once every 12 years. There is more than just pride and history at stake for the Wallabies and Lions. Starting in 2001, the winning team of the Wallabies vs Lions Test series is awarded the Tom Richards Trophy. Tom Richards is the only Australian-born rugby union player to represent the Lions and the Wallabies. Richards was part of the first Wallaby team to tour Britain in 1908, and was also part of Australasia's (a combined Australia and New Zealand team) gold medal-winning rugby team at that year's Olympic Games in London. Richards was part of the Lions tour to South Africa in 1910, while he was living in Britain. Australia were the first holders of the trophy after their series win in 2001. The Lions are the current holders following their series win in 2013. The British and Irish Lions were last on Australian shores in 2013, where they claimed a memorable 2-1 Test series win. The opening two Tests of the series were nail-biters, going down to the final play. The Lions triumphed in Brisbane 23-21, then the Wallabies were victorious in Melbourne, 16-15. In both matches, the losing side had a penalty kick at full-time to win the match, but missed. The third Test threatened to again go down to the wire, with the Lions holding a 19-16 lead early in the second half. But the tourists scored three tries in the final 23 minutes to earn a commanding 41-16 win, and claim the series. James O'Connor and James Slipper both played in the 2013 series for the Wallabies. Should they take the field against the Lions this year, they will join George Smith (2001 and 2013) as the only three Wallabies to have played in consecutive Lions tours. Since their first official Test match in 1899, Australia and the British and Irish Lions have faced each other in 23 Test matches. The Wallabies have managed to defeat the Lions six times. Australia was victorious in the maiden encounter in 1899, a 13-3 win at the Sydney Cricket Ground. That was also Australia's first Test match win in rugby. The Lions would go on to win the next three Tests in 1899, claiming a 3-1 series win. Australia would have to wait until 1930 before their second Test win against the Lions, a 6-5 triumph at the Sydney Cricket Ground. That was the only Test match against Australia played on the 1930 Lions' tour, meaning Australia had achieved their first of two series wins. The modern 12-year cycle of Lions tours began in 1989, and the Wallabies achieved their first Test win over the Lions in 49 years. World champions at the time, the Wallabies defeated the Lions in the first Test 30-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium. The Lions recovered to win the following two Tests and win the series. Australia's only multi-match series win came in 2001. After losing the first Test at the Gabba, the Wallabies recovered to defeat the Lions at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, 35-14. The 21-point margin is Australia's largest win over the Lions. The Wallabies won the series with a famous 29-23 victory at Stadium Australia in front of 84,188 fans. Australia's last win over the Lions was during the second Test in 2013.