Amber Sherlock breaks her silence on sudden axing by Nine and clarifies important fact missing from Georgie Gardner’s extraordinary off-script farewell

Amber Sherlock has spoken publicly for the first time since her shock exit from Channel Nine was confirmed on Wednesday night.

In a sensational off-script moment, newsreader Georgie Gardner confirmed the veteran’s departure when she offered an unexpected farewell to her axed colleague.

Now, the 9News Sydney weather presenter, 49, has broken her silence, sharing a lengthy message to her Instagram followers on Thursday.   

‘Nearly 20 years anywhere is a milestone, but to be in your lounge rooms every evening has been a privilege,’ she penned, clarifying she’d worked at Nine for 18 years — not ‘a number of years’ as Gardner claimed.

‘From my early days as a finance journalist, to reading the Qantas news and becoming the inaugural newsreader for Weekend Today, I’ve been fortunate to present across almost every bulletin including the Morning News, Afternoon News, 6pm News and Late News. 

‘Most recently, I’ve been part of the 6pm Sydney news team alongside Peter Overton and James Bracey.’

Sherlock included a photo alongside her message, showing her smiling as she posed with co-stars Peter Overton and James Bracey behind the news desk.

‘Together, we’ve proudly won the ratings for the last 15 years, a testament to the Sydney news team,’ she added.

‘Over the years, I’ve made lifelong friends, shared countless laughs, and celebrated many milestones.

‘I’ve enjoyed 30 years in Australian television built on hard work, grit and resilience and have always believed that dedication pays off. 

‘While I was offered the possibility of a few other roles, it makes sense to step away now and look at something fresh.’

Sherlock went on to say she ‘loved bringing a little sunshine to every bulletin’ and joked that Australians were ‘obsessed with weather’.

‘Just like Melbourne turned a bit greyer with Livinia’s departure announced last week, Sydney’s feeling a little cloudier now too,’ she added, referencing the recent exit of Livinia Nixon from 9News Melbourne.

‘It seems like it’s the end of an era for dedicated 6pm weather presenters as “streamlining” seems to be the prevailing forecast. Good luck to whoever is brave enough to tackle the new BOM website.’

‘I’ve also loved the adrenaline and responsibility of reading news. My last bulletin was for the Late News, with a small but important team sharing stories from around the country,’ she continued.

‘I already have some exciting projects on the go, which I’ll share with you soon.

‘But for now, here’s to afternoons with my family, weekend BBQs with my friends and embracing a new chapter. I’m excited for what the future brings.’

It comes after Sherlock’s departure from Channel Nine was confirmed on Wednesday in a sensational moment that saw newsreader Gardner go off-script to offer a farewell to her axed colleague. 

Gardner made the comments in the closing minutes of the 9News evening bulletin, confirming Nine’s worst-kept secret.

Deviating from her usual news script, Gardner wished Sherlock well and referred to her as a ‘valued member’ of the team—bizarrely missing the detail that Sherlock had been in her role for almost 20 years.

‘Before we go tonight, we’d like to extend a farewell to our colleague Amber Sherlock,’ Gardner began.

‘For a number of years, Amber has been a valued member of the news team, bringing us our daily weather reports on behalf of Nine News.’

‘I’d like to thank Amber for her contribution, and we wish her and her family all the very best,’ she continued.

Gardner then returned to her standard sign-off, saying: ‘That is 9News for this Wednesday. Ali’s next with the Current Affair. I’m Georgie Gardner.’

Sherlock’s future at Channel Nine first came into question when the TV presenter was mysteriously absent from Monday evening’s broadcast amid the network’s latest redundancy bloodbath.

The long-time 9News anchor and weathergirl — made famous by a viral dispute over a white jacket — was replaced in her usual slot by reporter Sophie Walsh, 40, with no explanation given for Sherlock’s no-show.

Newsroom insiders insisted at that time she was ‘gone’.

Sherlock, who had been with Nine since 2007, is one of dozens of staffers axed as the network enacts its latest, brutal round of redundancies.

A network insider told Daily Mail on Monday that Sherlock’s hefty pay packet could have factored into a decision to dump the journalist from her plum weather role at Nine.

‘She’s paid loads of dough so it makes sense,’ the source explained.

‘She was meant to do the afternoon weather but then Soph [Sophie Walsh] suddenly filled in,’ they added.

Nine did not deny that Sherlock was out of a job when approached by Daily Mail on Monday.

A spokesperson said that the network will not discuss the employment status of any individuals at this stage, as the media giant cuts 50 roles.

However, Nine confirmed that a restructure was underway in order to drive ‘commercial growth’.

The company expects to cut jobs in newsrooms across the country, including its Queensland bureaus.

‘We have today commenced consultation with some team members, whose roles within Nine’s Streaming and Broadcast division are impacted by our new operating model,’ the Nine spokesperson said.

‘The new operating model formally brings together teams across Stan, Channel 9 and 9Now. It is designed to reduce duplication, drive greater collaboration and deliver commercial growth for Nine, while working to offset the challenging external advertising market.’

Although up to 50 roles are being made redundant, the total number of staffers departing the network is expected to be lower, as new roles are being created, while some staff will be redeployed to other positions.

There are additionally vacant positions that won’t be filled and contracts that aren’t being renewed.