Melissa Doyle parted ways with Channel Seven on Friday, but it seems her former Sunrise host David ‘Kochie’ Koch may have known her exit was coming.
The 64-year-old hinted at Melissa’s looming departure in a cryptic Instagram post two months ago – on the same day it was speculated that her contract with Seven was under review.
On June 18, Kochie shared several throwback photos from the pair’s time working together on Sunrise – but offered no explanation for his trip down memory lane.
Kochie knew it was coming: How David Koch (pictured) hinted at Mel Doyle’s departure TWO MONTHS ago in a cryptic Instagram post – as she quits Channel Seven after 25 years
With the benefit hindsight, it appears from his mysterious tribute that Kochie may have known Melissa’s days at the network were numbered.
The photos, which were posted to Instagram Stories and therefore deleted themselves after 24 hours, showed Kochie and Melissa on location in 2005, and on set of Sunrise at an unspecified earlier date.
David captioned the pictures: ‘Wow, just found this. First major outside broadcast. 2005 tsunami fundraising concert… And the Roswall. Wow those were great days’.
Best of mates! In June, David mysteriously shared throwback photos from the early days of his career with Melissa
Kochie’s posts raised suspicions at the time because rumours had surfaced that same day that Melissa’s contract at Seven was ‘under review’.
The pair co-hosted Sunrise together from 2002 to 2013, before Mel was axed and replaced by Sam Armytage.
On Friday, Channel Seven announced Melissa had left the network after 25 years.
Throwbacks: The photos, posted to Instagram Stories and vanishing 24 hours later, showed the pair on location in 2005, and on set at another unspecified earlier date
Her departure is believed to be the result of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit Seven particularly hard.
The former Sunrise host, 50, said in a statement: ‘For 25 years, I have called Channel Seven home. I’ve had the privilege to share stories that mattered, meet incredible people and be there for significant moments in history.
‘I am incredibly proud of the work I have done and appreciative of the trust and warmth our viewers have shown me.
‘I want to thank the consummate professionals I have worked with along the way, in particular our Chairman Kerry Stokes for his constant support.’
She concluded: ‘I leave Seven with a great deal of pride, satisfaction and gratitude.’
Moving on? At the time, the posts raised suspicions, with claims that her contract was ‘under review’ according to The Daily Telegraph
End of an era: On Friday, the network announced Melissa (pictured) has left Channel Seven after 25 years
Seven West Media’s CEO and Managing Director, James Warburton, thanked Melissa for the work she’d put in over the years.
‘Melissa has deserved every success that’s come her way and has been a huge part of the network,’ he said.
‘On behalf of everyone at Seven West Media I want to wish Mel the very best and thank her for everything she’s done for the Seven Network.’
Dignified: The former Sunrise host, 50, said in a statement: ‘For 25 years, I have called Channel Seven home. I’ve had the privilege to share stories that mattered, meet incredible people and be there for significant moments in history’
Seven’s Director of News and Public Affairs, Craig McPherson, also paid tribute to his colleague.
He noted that in addition to her on-camera duties, Melissa played an instrumental role in nurturing new talent at the network.
‘From reporting to presenting to mentoring her colleagues, Mel has been a fundamental part of the Seven Network’s News and Public Affairs team for more than two decades,’ he said.
‘Classy, professional and a delight to work with, Mel leaves us with a history she should be enormously proud of.
‘On behalf of all her former and current colleagues here at Seven, I’d like to thank her for contributing so much to our successes and wish her every success in her next endeavour.’
Early days: Melissa first joined Seven’s Canberra bureau as a political reporter back in 1995
Looking back on her stellar career, Melissa told The Sydney Morning Herald: ‘You know I have worked half of my life at Seven, it has been a very big part of me.
‘But today is about reflecting on what I achieved over that time, to feel positive about that and thankful for the opportunities I’ve had, and there have been so many extraordinary opportunities for me.’
While she didn’t disclose her plans for the future, she added that she ‘is not the sort of person to sit on my butt and do nothing’.
Pioneer: Melissa was one of Sunrise’s first hosts, before the breakfast show was temporarily axed in 1999 and brought back the following year. Pictured alongside co-host David Koch
TV Blackbox editor Rob McKnight, who previously worked with Melissa on Sunrise, also weighed in on her departure from the company.
‘Mel Doyle is one of Australia’s best presenters. It’s easy to forget she was part of the team that took Sunrise to number one, but in these tough times we are seeing the loss of big stars across commercial television,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I worked with Mel when I was line producing Sunrise and she was an absolute joy to work with – she is the same off camera as she is on.’
But McKnight acknowledged it would be difficult for Melissa to bounce back given the current media climate.
Boned: The mother of two announced she was leaving Sunrise in June 2013, and finished up in August that same year. At the time, her departure was described by the network as a ‘resignation’, but it’s widely believed she was pushed out
Out with the old, in with the new: Melissa was replaced on Sunrise by Sam Armytage (left)
‘It’s going to be tough out there though, the market is struggling, and while I’d like to see her talents used, you have to wonder what opportunities will be out there at this time,’ the commentator added.
Melissa’s exit comes a week after Channel 10 axed 25 staffers in response to the economic downturn.
The likes of Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Tim Bailey and Natarsha Belling are all leaving the network, and news operations are being centralised in Sydney and Melbourne.
Axed: In 2015, she was announced as host and senior correspondent for Sunday Night, but the current affairs show was cancelled in October last year as a cost-cutting measure
Melissa first joined Seven’s Canberra bureau as a political reporter back in 1995.
She then moved to Sydney, working as a newsreader on the network’s 11AM program.
Melissa was one of Sunrise’s first hosts, before the breakfast show was temporarily axed in 1999 and brought back the following year.
She rejoined the program in 2002, and also hosted a string of other shows for the network, including Today Tonight.
The mother of two announced she was leaving Sunrise in June 2013, and finished up in August that same year.
Proud: ‘I am incredibly proud of the work I have done and appreciative of the trust and warmth our viewers have shown me,’ Melissa said in a statement
Recession: The news comes a week after Channel 10 axed 25 staffers in response to the economic downturn. The likes of Kerri-Anne Kennerley (pictured), Tim Bailey and Natarsha Belling are all leaving the network
At the time, her departure was described by the network as a ‘resignation’, but it’s widely believed she was pushed out. She was replaced by Sam Armytage.
Melissa remained with the network, however, presenting Seven Afternoon News and Seven News at 7.
In 2015, she was announced as host and senior correspondent for Sunday Night, but the current affairs show was cancelled in October last year as a cost-cutting measure.
She joined fellow reporter Michael Usher as host of late-night news program The Latest in March this year.
The network is set to farewell Melissa with ‘a special tribute celebrating her exceptional contribution’ during Friday’s 7News broadcast at 6pm.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Melissa for comment.
Farewell: The network is set to farewell Melissa with ‘a special tribute celebrating her exceptional contribution’ during Friday’s 7News broadcast at 6pm