Veteran journalist Jonathan Uptin has revealed he has no plans to return to the media – and has announced a surprising career change
The former sports reporter for Nine Queensland, who left the network in 2025, is set to become a marriage celebrant.
Taking to social media with a ‘life update’ on Monday, the 54-year-old said he hopes to complete his qualification by the end of 2026.
‘I want to marry again – now that I’ve got your attention,’ he joked on Instagram.
He included what appeared to be a business logo featuring wedding bands and the name: ‘Moments with Jono’.
He shared that he has already hosted a commitment ceremony, as well as serving as a celebrant at a funeral and performing MC duties at more functions than he could ever remember.
Veteran journalist Jonathan Uptin has revealed he has no plans to return to the media – and has announced a surprising career change. (Pictured)
Uptin used the post to promote his new gig and asked followers to reach out if they could use his services as a Master of Ceremonies or ‘unofficial’ celebrant.
Meanwhile, the former journalist has reflected on the ‘devastating’ moment he learned his contract would not be renewed at Channel Nine after three decades.
‘Perhaps it was the best thing that ever happened to me. There is more to life than the daily chase of a news cycle. I want to be part of people’s life cycles,’ he told Media Week on Monday.
Elsewhere in the chat, he revealed he has no interest in going back into media.
‘I feel like that part of my life is over, and I want a fresh change,’ he said.
‘[I want to be around people] who are just in love, and just bringing warmth and good vibes to and bouncing off other people as well.’
The first hint that Uptin’s time was up at Nine came in July 2024, when the popular sports reporter was not included in the network’s Olympic coverage.
At the time, the Herald Sun reported that he had been absent from the 6pm bulletin, and the network scrambled to replace him in Paris with newsreader Andrew Lofthouse.
Taking to social media with a ‘life update’ on Monday, the 54-year-old said he hopes to complete his qualification by the end of 2026
He included what appeared to be a business logo featuring wedding bands and the name: ‘Moments with Jono’
Nine were advertising for a sports reporter at their Brisbane base on Mount Coot–Tha, during the same period.
However, Uptin eventually returned to his desk.
Beginning his career as a reporter in broadcast news at Prime, Uptin later worked at Nine Darwin in the early noughties.
He replaced Wally Lewis when the footy veteran left his role as weekend sports reporter on Nine News Queensland in 2023.
Uptin left Nine officially at the end of 2025, with the Courier Mail confirming that his contract was not renewed last November.
