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Sky News AU
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Sacked Nine star Alex Cullen primed for major career return at Seven after accepting $50,000 from 'Mr Lambo' Adrian Portelli
Alex Cullen could be set to make a major career return as the host of a new show at Channel Seven months after he was sacked from rival Channel Nine. In January, Nine parted ways with the 44-year-old former Today show presenter after he accepted a $50,000 cash reward from billionaire Adrian Portelli, 35. Portelli called out to be branded "McLaren man" instead of "Mr Lambo", a name he received from his many appearances on Nine's The Block. Cullen accepted the challenge during a live cross from the Australian Open at Melbourne Park and later shared the footage on his Instagram. Portelli responded on social media, saying, "We have a winner. Well played, sir", and posted a screenshot of what appeared to show a bank transfer of $50,000 to the journalist. Months later, Cullen is at the top of Seven's list of potential hosts for a newly developed news program, according to on Friday. The unnamed daytime program, which could air from 3pm to 5pm, is tipped to imitate Seven's The Daily Edition five years after that show was scrapped. It comes as executives are "seriously stressed" about the success of Nine's game show Tipping Point and are reportedly desperate for a worthy rival. It's understood Cullen's representatives have been in discussions with Seven for the coveted role. The journalist, who was previously a reporter for Seven's Sunday Night from 2010 through 2019, is expected to screen-test within days. The development comes after speculation Seven was eyeing Cullen for a role at Sunrise, as insiders claimed he was considered a potential recruit. "Chatter is already rife that Sunrise is eyeing off Alex, and sources say bosses at Seven would 'jump at the chance' to steal a huge name from their biggest rival," an insider told New Idea in February. "There's a lot of support for Alex - many feel he was treated harshly by bosses. It could be the perfect hotbed to make a star of Alex at Seven." The source claimed while Cullens' Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic wasn't "the least bit surprised" that Seven was interested in the star, it didn't "sit well" with him that his pal could move on to a competitor. After Cullen accepted Portelli's offer, Stefanovic dispelled ongoing rumours about his whereabouts and confirmed the sports reader and Nine agreed to part ways. "Well, as most of you are well aware, our colleague Alex Cullen has not been on air with us this past week," he told breakfast viewers in January. "What I can say is that last night, Alex and Nine agreed that he would finish with the network. "Alex is a terrific fella. What you see is what you get and has been a great mate to all of us over these years, and we wish Alex, his wife Bonny and his beautiful kids all the very best for the future." A Nine spokesperson confirmed Cullen's departure to multiple outlets. "Nine has agreed with TODAY presenter and journalist Alex Cullen that he will finish with the network following a review into a recent incident," a statement read. Followers quickly supported the 44-year-old presenter, and many hoped he would return as some boycotted Today until he did. Cullen later took to social media to thank his supporters with a heartfelt message and a photo of his son. "This has been a very difficult time, and I just want to say thank you to all the wonderful people who reached out," he wrote. "I look forward to whatever comes next." The $50,000 was reportedly donated to charity. Under the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance Journalist Code of Ethics, reporters must not allow personal interest or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit to undermine accuracy, fairness or independence.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Today's Alex Cullen tipped to land major TV gig after shock exit
It's been three months since it was announced that Today presenter Alex Cullen would be 'stepping down permanently' from his role on the Channel 9 breakfast show. The sports presenter, who joined the program in 2020, parted ways with the network after accepting a $50,000 gift from The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli. While the father-of-three has been hosting corporate events and spending time with his family since leaving Today, it's rumoured that he may be making a return to TV very soon. According to Alex is a top contender to host a new show on Channel 7. RELATED: All the new Aussie reality TV shows set to premiere in 2025: 'Going to be huge' Australian Idol host reveals secret to live TV winner announcement: 'Foolproof' Matt Doran unveils surprising new look after quitting Weekend Sunrise: 'Unreal' The publication claims that Seven is looking to launch an afternoon news program similar to The Daily Edition, which was hosted by Sally Obermeder and aired from 2013 to 2020. The network is reportedly concerned about the enormous success of Nine's game show Tipping Point, and hopes a 3pm to 5pm news show would assist the dwindling ratings of The Chase. Alex is rumoured to screen-test with the network in the coming days, but he's not the only TV personality in the running. Nine's Belinda Russell, Seven news presenter Michael Usher, Weekend Sunrise host David Woiwod, and reporters Katrina Blowers and Blake Johnson are also reportedly being looked at. Alex finished up with Nine in January after accepting a $50,000 gift from entrepreneur and billionaire Adrian Portelli, who became known as 'Mr Lambo' following his appearances on The Block. Adrian pledged to give $50,000 to the first person who called him 'McLaren Man' on air in an attempt to change his nickname. He then posted a screenshot on Instagram of what appeared to be a bank transfer to an account with Alex's name after he took him up on the offer. Alex was subsequently absent from screens for an entire week before it was announced that he would be leaving Today and the network. 'Nine has agreed with Today presenter and journalist, Alex Cullen, that he will finish with the network following a review into a recent incident,' a Nine spokesperson confirmed in a statement. It was revealed in February that Danika Mason would be taking over Alex's role as sports presenter on Today. Danika first joined Channel 9 in 2012 as an intern and has since been the network's NRL sideline sports reporter and Australian Open courtside reporter. She has also produced segments behind the scenes for Today sport and the Sunday Footy Show, and interviewed some of the biggest sporting legends in the world. SHOP: ☀️ Tax laws to burn Aussies on summer essential: 'Many of us struggle' 🕯️Expert's easy tips for a cosier home while lowering energy bills: 'Cost-effective' 💅 Aussie company making beauty more accessible and less of a burden Danika has continued working with Wide World of Sports since stepping into her new role on Today, reporting on Sunday afternoon footy and Thursday nights on the sideline. Outside of her career achievements, Danika made headlines in 2023 when she called off her wedding three weeks before she was meant to tie the knot to her partner of three years, Todd Liubinskas.
News.com.au
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Sharp Shooting: Dumped Nine star Alex Cullen in line for new gig on rival Seven
Five years after daytime talk show The Daily Edition was scrapped by Channel 7, we hear the program, or a show rather a lot like it, is once more on the drawing board at the network. Seven programming execs are seriously stressed about the success of Channel 9 game show Tipping Point. At a series of executive meetings, ideas for remedying the problem have been discussed. Top of the pile, or so we hear, is a strong 3pm-5pm news show that potentially could lift the ailing ratings of Seven's 6pm news lead-in, The Chase. But who would host it? Departed Today sports reporter Alex Cullen is, we hear, at the top of Seven's wishlist. Cullen's reps have been in discussions with Seven we hear and Cullen, who previously appeared on Seven's screens as a reporter on Sunday Night, is expected to screen-test within days. What a remarkable turnaround that would be for the sports presenter Nine sacked for pocketing $50k from Adrian Portelli. Among other talent being looked at to host are Nine's Belinda Russell, Seven news presenter Michael Usher, Weekend Sunrise host David Woiwod and reporters Katrina Blowers and Blake Johnson. Karl crusades for Crown Having been relegated to a lowly reporting position in Nine's Saturday night federal election coverage, Karl Stefanovic went crusading on behalf of another commercial partner this week, Crown Casino. Wearing his Crown ambassador hat, Stefanovic set off to Crown Sydney where he donned an apron to record a cooking segment alongside chef Alex Pavoni of a'Mare restaurant. Stefanovic later posted the segment to his Instagram page where it was buttressed with a full-screen slide featuring a Crown logo. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has been known in the past to take a dim view of influencers who neglect to disclose ad content on their social media accounts. So too, it seems, does Nine when the talent it pays close to $3 million forgets to acknowledge outside sponsorships. On Wednesday keen-eyed observers claimed the post, which also featured Stefanovic's daughter Harper and wife Jasmine, was without a disclosure identifying the lengthy spot as an #ad. By Thursday this column observed the post was tagged #CrownPartner. It had also had been edited during the previous 24 hours. A Nine spokeswoman dismissed any suggestion there might be an issue with Stefanovic's post and said Crown occasionally sponsors Today 'at times throughout the year'. She added: 'Karl is an ambassador of Crown as he disclosed on his post.' The post comes as Stefanovic takes a back seat to Sydney newsreader Peter Overton and A Current Affair host Ally Langdon, Stefanovic's former Today show co-host, in Nine's Federal Election coverage this weekend. Instead of anchoring the coverage, the Today show's jester will be dispatched to cover the mood and celebrations at the Liberal Party's headquarters when Opposition Leader Peter Dutton learns his fate. Sarah Abo will cover the celebrations at the ALP camp. Stefanovic also can't complain at being overlooked in promos for the coverage. Even though his is the ninth and final head featured in a promo graphic depicting specialist commentators. Nat cheers for Liz Liz Hayes was sighted in Seven's Eveleigh building this week putting some spit and polish on her almost exclusive (she was pipped by a print publication) interview with Jock Zonfrillo's widow Lauren Fried. While the Spotlight team and Seven's promo department are eagerly anticipating a bumper ratings event, one who can barely contain their excitement, or so we hear, is Sunrise host Natalie Barr. According to our spies on the ground, Barr has been telling other female talent they should not feel threatened by veteran Hayes' power and should get behind her appointment to back in the network's news and current affairs division. 'Liz is Liz Hayes and it's in everyone's interest that this works. She deserves respect,' is the roughly paraphrased version of cheerleader Barr's ringing endorsement. It's a sentiment not everyone can embrace however and some think news star Ashlee Mullany has good reason not to. Mullany has been identified as a future star of Spotlight and was under the impression 2025 would be her year. Hayes' arrival came as a surprise to Mullany who we hear took executive producer Gemma Williams aside to ask why she wasn't informed of Hayes's recruitment prior to a press release being distributed. It's a fair question as Mullany is a talent – and gorgeous – and any company (or bloke for that matter) that fails to recognise that and value her is a dope. We put the question to Seven about Mullany's Spotlight dream and was told she has investigations in the works for the show having wound up her gig as Seven's Europe & Middle East correspondent in February. Congrats Ash! Meanwhile after a decade on the ground working the rounds at Seven we can understand why she might have felt overlooked in the excitement about Hayes coming on board. Of course Hayes has only signed up, so far, for one guest appearance – an appearance put at a pricey $20k by industry insiders. Seven declined to comment on that speculation but did dismiss rumours Zonfrillo's widow was paid for her interview. Backlash to Kyle's dummy spit Kyle Sandilands' Wednesday morning on-air dummy spit and threat he'd pull his KIIS FM breakfast show from Melbourne by year's end if southern audiences didn't hop to it and accept the duo, went down like a navy suit at a pontiff's funeral with non-fans. The day before the release of radio ratings that would reveal the show lifted slightly in the city, Sandilands had raged on air: 'You either glue on in Melbourne or you (CENSOR BLEEP). One or the other … I'll just take the show off, Melbourne. You can (CENSOR BLEEP).' It was a threat that evidently delighted some who have refused to embrace the Kyle & Jackie O radio show and quickly flooded chat platforms with backlash comments. 'Don't threaten me with a good time,' one posted to reddit. 'I can barely contain my indifference,' said another. 'Don't wait Kyle. The merciful thing to do would be kill the Melbourne show immediately,' remarked a third. 'Dudes threatening people who aren't listening … to listen,' said one incredulous respondent. The tone soon turned serious on the back of news KIIS's parent company had announced a raft of redundancies. 'ARN are doing mass redundancies to keep up with Kyle and Jackie O's salaries and for what? For Kyle to walk out twenty minutes into a four hour show because 'the vibes are off'?' Old friends ABC-TV Media Watch producers left its chairman Kim Williams' recollections of when he met comedian Austen Tayshus in 1998 on the cutting room floor. In a statement supplied by Williams and featured in the show the under scrutiny chairman said he and Tayshus's alter ego Sandy Gutman had a 'brief involvement some 27 years ago'. Missing from the expose was Williams' admission the men met 'when (Gutman) was cast for a theatrical moment attaching to the opening of the sound stages at Fox Studios in Sydney'. Williams added: 'He may be a friend of my former wife Kathy Lette. Kathy left me in 1988.' The revelation sheds light (and perhaps a little personal bitterness – though he did add that they are now friends) on Williams' motivation for using his position to intervene on Gutman's behalf to line-up a slate of regional radio interviews to promote a 40th anniversary comedy tour. Eleven radio interviews in the end did take place following Williams' intervention. On Thursday Gutman told he suspects the men first encountered each other 'in the eighties' after the comedian broke through with his hit comedy album Australiana in 1983. 'It might have something to do with Kathy Lette. We were all around in the eighties,' Gutman said, contradicting earlier comments attributed to him on the ABC's Media Watch program, in which he called Williams a friend of some 40 years' standing. 'I don't think we've ever broken bread or had a Shabbos dinner … I'm of similar age to him though, so we might have been in the same circle at one time,' Gutman said. Hoping to further clarify the origins of the relationship, this column attempted to reach Lette. The Puberty Blues author, who was married to Williams from 1983 to 1989, had not responded by publication time. Williams has been caught up in the controversy all week with furious ABC staff demanding to know if the organisation's chairman had sought to interfere with regional radio content or used his position to influence managers. Gutman's allegations he'd encountered anti-Semitism within the ABC's regional operations are said to have further inflamed the matter and motivated Williams to act. Gutman is Jewish. Williams has denied his actions were in breach of editorial policies but acknowledged overstepping in relation to a comment he made describing ABC staff as 'arrogant'. Gutman was still bruised by the ABC report at week's end. '(Media Watch host Linton Besser) called me a washed up entertainer. It was personal. I've been working for decades. They accused me of weaponising anti-Semitism,' he said. The controversy gave the ABC's new managing director Hugh Marks an opportunity to establish public boundaries in his relationship with Williams, who has denied Marks was his pick for the job. It was lost on few however that the man who'd thrown the Nine board into turmoil in 2020 by failing to declare his romance with a subordinate, leading to his shock resignation from that company, is now presenting himself as a champion of corporate governance at the ABC.
