Mark Beretta has announced his departure from Sunrise after 30 years at Channel Seven.
The Channel Seven star, 59, appeared emotional as he revealed the news during the program on Thursday morning.
‘After 30 years working with the Seven Network and after a lot of long nights and thinking about it, the time is right for me to step away from Sunrise,’ he said.
‘Working in this job and in sport has been my dream; it has given me the most extraordinary experiences and memories I could ever have wished for.
‘I will treasure all the many good times and many friendships. I’m so proud to have been a part of Sunrise, and it is incredibly hard to leave behind my Sunrise family and the show we have all put so much energy into for the last 22 years.
‘If you had told me in February 1995, when I walked through the doors of Seven Melbourne for my first day, that 30 years later I would still be doing the job I love, I wouldn’t have believed you, but I would have punched the air.’
Mark Beretta (pictured) has announced his departure from Sunrise after 30 years at Channel Seven
‘It has been an honour, and I have loved every day, every experience working with the amazing group of people,’ he continued.
The veteran journalist explained he is stepping away from work to focus on spending time with his family.
‘Losing dad to cancer two months ago, and mum now fighting against the disease, has made me see the world a little differently,’ he said.
‘Family time has become even more important. And I want to do more to help the great work of Tour de Cure in finding treatments and cures for cancer.’
Beretta stated he still has a lot of work planned for the future.
‘It is a real privilege to have been welcomed into the start of your day and to have connected with so many wonderful people,’ he continued.
‘My passion for sport and sportspeople and telling their stories is never going to fade, so I won’t be far away. There are some big events on the horizon, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of it.
‘Best of all, I look forward to catching up with a lot of people and seeing more of this great country. Thank you so much for having me on Sunrise, I have loved it.’
After giving his farewell, co-stars Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington, Natalie Barr and Edwina Bartholomew entered the breakfast stage to share the emotional moment with Beretta
After giving his farewell, co-stars Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington, Natalie Barr and Edwina Bartholomew entered the breakfast stage to share the emotional moment with Beretta.
‘Wow, Berrets… For the last couple of years, I feel privileged to have worked with you full-time. I know it’s very emotional for you,’ Shirvo said as he embraced Beretta.
‘I’ve also got to say too, as one of those athletes who worked with you right at the very beginning, coming in as a guest, thank you so much.’
Shirvo went on to say he ‘will never forget’ the moment Beretta once introduced him ‘for the first time as a household name’ on television.
‘You’re always part of the family here,’ he added.
Barr then slipped in to hug Beretta. ‘It’s been amazing, what a ride,’ she said, teasing that the sports presenter was ‘going to cry’.
‘You know what? No one really leaves. You’re going to be back with us. You’re going to be doing things with Seven. We’re never going to get rid of you,’ she added.
Bartholomew was next, reminding Beretta he was the ‘very first person’ to take her ‘under his wing’ when she was only 21-years-old.
‘The fact you’ve never drunk a cup of coffee in 22 years and yet you’re always so up and bright and early,’ she joked.
‘You’re the real life Lego man where everything is amazing.’
Beretta’s final stint on the breakfast show will be December 12.
More to come.
