Seven’s Sunrise reveals shock shake-up to the panel as one of its beloved stars is replaced: ‘Got to sit with the big kids today’
The Sunrise panel got a shock shake-up on Monday morning with Katie Brown filling in for sports reporter, Mark Beretta.
The reporter, who is considered a rising star on the breakfast show, surprised viewers by taking over the role.
Katie, who only recently scored an interview with Crown Princess Mary, was gleeful as she sat among the network stars.
‘Got to sit with the big kids today, even got to wear my favourite colour,’ she wrote on Instagram, sharing a number of photos.
She later posted to Instagram Stories to show her preparation for the show.
Seven’s Sunrise got a shock shake-up to the panel when rising star reporter Katie Brown (pictured) replaced Mark Beretta on the show on Monday morning
Pictured is Sunrise sports reporter Mark Beretta
‘Happy Monday! Filling in for Beretts today on the desk,’ she wrote, sharing a sneak peak of the morning’s script.
Katie didn’t say how long Mark would be away for, but he’s expectedback this week after spending the weekend at a charity event in Brisbane.
She was showered with praise for taking on the role with even Mark approving of his young protégé’s efforts.
‘Great job KB!!!’ Mark captioned the photos. ‘What a weapon,’ Seven cricket star Holly Ferling added under the post.
Anchor David Koch was notably also absent from the panel last month.
‘Happy Monday! Filling in for Beretts today on the desk,’ she wrote, sharing a sneak peak of the script for the show. The excited journalist appeared to only be filling in for the day
Katie didn’t say how long Mark would be away for but the star is expected back this week after spending the weekend in Brisbane at a charity event
Seven later clarified Kochie had flown to Melbourne to support Seven Network’s annual fundraiser, the Good Friday Appeal, in aid of the Royal Children’s Hospital.
It came after Kochie provided a big hint that he is looking to life beyond the popular breakfast show.
He told the Herald Sun last month that after two decades in the Sunrise role, he is looking to scale things back.
‘I have been doing it almost 21 years. I love it, I still have a passion for it, but I want a bit more flexibility in my life,’ he explained.
Anchor David Koch (pictured) was notably also absent from the panel last month
Matt Shirvington (right) replaced the veteran presenter at the desk last month alongside Natalie Barr (left), in Kochie’s absence
‘My wife Libby and I want to enjoy our lives and Channel Seven are happy to help.’
Kochie signed a two-year contract extension with Seven last year that will see him staying on Sunrise until at least 2024 – although he negotiated for ‘greater flexibility’ with his working commitments.
‘Everything has to come to an end. I have got the flexibility to do it on my terms and I am incredibly grateful I have that opportunity,’ he added.
Back in October, Kochie inked the extension deal at a meeting with Seven Network CEO James Warburton, during which he expressed his interest in retiring.
Warburton was able to convince Koch to put off his retirement plans for another two years, but agreed to draw up a contract allowing the long-serving anchor ‘to take more breaks from the show according to his requirements’, reports The Australian.
This is in addition to Koch’s already relaxed work schedule that sees him host Sunrise four days a week, taking Fridays off.
Kochie signed a two-year contract extension with Seven last year that will see him staying on Sunrise until at least 2024 – although he negotiated for ‘greater flexibility’ with his working commitments