Famed Channel Seven journalist Denham Hitchcock has announced he’s returning to work.
The popular reporter shared the exciting news to his Instagram on Tuesday, just two months after welcoming his second child in December.
Denham, who had been living on a catamaran since stepping away from 7News Spotlight in 2022, recently resettled in Sydney with his young family.
Posting a selfie in which he could be seen posing in front of a Channel Seven logo, Hitchcock detailed his plans to return to the news program.
‘I’m back. It’s time to wash some of the salt out – and get back to what I do best,’ he began.
‘Back in 2019 the network asked me to start what would eventually become the Spotlight program with one producer and one cameraman – and as the limited shows proved successful – the team quickly grew and it would turn into the network’s flagship program.
Famed Channel Seven journalist Denham Hitchcock has announced he’s returning to work at 7News Spotlight
‘I stepped away for a few years to go sailing with the family – and have returned to find a new EP, a new team, new reporters, a fresh energy, an abundance of stories, and some genuine excitement about the year ahead.’
He ended the message by asking followers and fans to send ‘research ideas’.
‘But please – researched ideas – not just wild theories,’ he warned, before adding: ‘Keep an eye on @7newsspotlight it’s going to be quite the year.’
The announcement comes after Hitchcock received possibly the best Christmas gift imaginable in December – a newborn baby.
He announced the arrival of his second child with wife Mari on Instagram, alongside a series of adorable family photos to introduce their son to the world.
The journalist looked every bit the proud dad, wearing a Santa hat and beaming with joy as he posed alongside his wife and their three-year-old daughter, Kaia.
Mari appeared equally delighted as she cradled their son, while Kaia looked excited to begin her journey as a big sister.
One sweet photo captured Mari gently kissing the baby’s head, while another showed Denham cradling his son close to his chest.
Denham, who had been living on a catamaran since stepping away from 7 News Spotlight in 2022, recently resettled in Sydney with his young family
‘I stepped away for a few years to go sailing with the family – and have returned to find a new EP, a new team, new reporters, a fresh energy, an abundance of stories, and some genuine excitement about the year ahead,’ he wrote
‘What a xmas present,’ Denham enthused.
‘Our stowaway finally came out of hiding just in time for Xmas. Welcome to the Rio crew little man!’
Continuing, Hitchcock was full of praise for his wife and hospital staff who helped to welcome their bundle of joy into the world.
‘Super mum was calm and composed as always. The Northern Beaches Hospital fantastic,’ he wrote.
‘Everyone is healthy and well and Dad’s heart could not be more full.’
He continued: ‘It’s also occurred to me how many people have helped us out the past few months as we sailed back into Australia.
‘We are beyond grateful and ready for a lifetime of paying it forward in gratitude for the positivity, the help and the opportunities that have come our way.’
Finishing the sweet post, Denham hinted that he could be in the market for another vessel in the very near future.
The announcement comes after Hitchcock received possibly the best Christmas gift imaginable in December – a newborn bab
‘We are going to need a bigger boat I reckon! Merry Smas from my family to yours… yew.’
Hitchcock made headlines in January 2022 when he resigned from the Seven Network to embark on a sailing trip with his young family.
Best known as a top reporter for 7News Spotlight, Denham confirmed the news via a lengthy Instagram post, telling fans he plans to work as a freelance journalist while travelling at sea.
Hitchcock, who was living on a boat after selling all his possessions four years ago when he resigned, said he was ready to follow his heart and live off-grid.
‘The ocean is calling once more and this salty boat life needs further exploring, in the pacific islands, and potentially beyond,’ he declared.
He went on to praise his colleagues at Seven’s Spotlight documentary unit and vowed to honour the network’s commitment to ‘fearless reporting’ as he embarked on a freelance career.
Hitchcock returned to screens in May 2023, in the true crime documentary ‘Who Killed Marea?’, which examines a 20-year-old cold case.
He led the Sky News investigation into the mysterious and brutal slaying of Marea Yann who was killed in her home in rural Victoria in 2003.
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