Amber Sherlock’s departure from Channel Nine was confirmed on Wednesday in a sensational moment that saw newsreader Georgie Gardner go off-script to offer a heartfelt farewell to her axed colleague.
Gardener made the comments in the closing minutes of the 9News evening bulletin, wishing Sherlock well and confirming Nine’s worst kept secret.
‘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,’ she continued.
‘I’d like to thank Amber for her contribution, and we wish her and her family all the very best.’
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.
Amber Sherlock’s departure from Channel Nine was confirmed on Wednesday in a sensational moment that saw newsreader Georgie Gardner (pictured) go off-script to offer a heartfelt farewell to her axed colleague
Gardener made the comments in the closing minutes of the 9News evening bulletin, wishing Sherlock (pictured) well and confirming Nine’s worst kept secret
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, 49, 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.’
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.
Nine did, however, confirm a restructure was underway in order to drive ‘commercial growth’.
The company expected 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 which won’t be filled and contracts that aren’t being renewed.
Nine has been slashing staff numbers since last year as part of an earlier $30 million cost-cutting plan for the business.
That initiative saw 200 job cuts announced in June 2024.
Nine Entertainment chief executive Mike Sneesby last year explained that the job cuts are vital to the network’s progress amid a larger restructure that will see increased opportunities to expand in the streaming space.
‘In order for us to be able to keep investing in digital growth opportunities across Nine, we must continue to responsibly manage costs through the cycle,’ Sneesby said in a statement.
Sherlock made headlines across the globe in 2017 thanks to her infamous ‘jacketgate’ row with fellow reporter Julie Snook.
The leaked footage showed her demanding Julie put on a jacket so the two women were not both wearing white on screen.
Speaking to her producer, Amber said: ‘I need Julie to put a jacket on because we’re all in white. I asked her before we came on… Julie you need to put a jacket on.’
Snook defended herself, insisting she had not had time to change out of her outfit.
But Sherlock refused to back down, replying: ‘Come on I told you two hours ago.’
Her fellow 9 News reporter apologised and said she had been ‘flat out’ and had not had time to switch into a different colour.
A furious Sherlock had no time for her apology and continued to demand she get changed before going live.
Sherlock later revealed exactly what led her to demand her co-host ‘go and grab a jacket,’ during the leaked off-air incident.
In a tell-all interview with The Daily Telegraph, the seasoned reporter admitted she ‘possibly overreacted,’ after getting upset at Julie for wearing the same colour outfit, before citing stress, tiredness and the hot weather in defence of her actions.
It wasn’t until the nation shared their opinions on talk-back radio, and even late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel weighed in, that she began to realise the seriousness of the situation.
‘I am the first to put up my hand and say that for whatever reason – I was stressed, I was tired, I possibly overreacted, there are better ways to deal with it,’ she admitted.
The journalist also claimed the high-pressure news environment meant the presenters didn’t get a chance to talk anything through.
‘Julie was fine with it, I was fine with it. Everyone has their opinions, but if you look at the tape, I feel everyone massively overreacted,’ she explained.
Amber stopped short of apologising directly to Julie for the incident in the interview, but offered heartfelt examples to explain her mindset.
‘I think I’m a kind, generous person. I am a mum, I have a family. And I was devastated.
‘I am only human at the end of the day, and I think people forget that,’ she added.
The media offered strongly-worded criticisms of the veteran reporter, with news.com.au writing ‘Amber Sherlock has become an international laughing stock,’ in the event’s aftermath.
Despite calls from the public to have Amber fired, Channel Nine stood behind the embattled presenter, who continued on with the network.
Sherlock began her career at the Seven Network in Sydney, with her early years spent in finance journalism with roles at Seven, Channel Ten and Sky News.
She joined Nine in 2007, presenting business segments for the Today show, where, by 2009, she became the breakfast show’s weekend news presenter.
Since 2011, Sherlock had worked as both a news anchor and weather presenter at Nine.
