It may have come as a shock to viewers when Ita Buttrose said her goodbyes on Studio 10 on Wednesday – just a day after announcing she was leaving.
But as Ita explained, it wasn’t as sudden as it all seemed.
“I resigned two days before Jessica [Rowe] did, but given her announcement, I left mine until it was more convenient because I think didn’t you wanted two of us to go together,” the 76-year-old said. “I didn’t really ‘spring it’.”
Jessica’s announcement she was leaving Studio Ten to “be a more present mum” for her daughters, Allegra and Giselle, in March certainly was a blow, as was her final day three weeks later on March 30.
So the production team’s decision to not make viewers say goodbye to two of the show’s original hosts at once is an understandable one.
Watch as she tries not to kill her co-worker. Don’t let the warm smile fool you. Post continues.
Network Ten announced in a statement on Tuesday afternoon the TV presenter and veteran journalist was leaving, after news outlets began reporting she had quit.
In the official statement, Ita said she’d had a long involvement with the TV station and “five great years on Studio 10”.
“But it is time for me to move on and focus on other parts of my life, including spending more time with my grandchildren and writing.”
On air Wednesday, she described leaving as “such sweet sorrow”.
“There comes a time in your life where you have to decide what else you want to do with your life.”
“I’ve got five grandchildren… I want to spend a bit more time with them. I’ve come to an agreement with a publisher to write a couple of books.”
Mia Freedman sat down with Ita and have a lovely chat about her career, the Packers and Botox for No Filter.
