Mark Beretta has spoken out about his decision to leave Sunrise.
The longtime sports presenter announced his departure from the breakfast show on Thursday after 30 years with Channel Seven.
A short time after dropping the major news, the 59-year-old sat down with Nova 96.9’s Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie to discuss his ’emotional’ departure and the show he’s eyeing next.
‘Seven becomes such a part of your life and your family, and you know, to decide that the time’s right, it’s time to go, it is hard,’ he admitted.
‘There comes a time when you kind of think about other things, and life changes a little bit.
Mark revealed that his decision to leave Sunrise was driven by a desire to focus more on family.
Mark Beretta (pictured) has lifted the lid on his decision to leave Sunrise
The longtime sports presenter announced his departure from the breakfast show on Thursday after 30 years at Channel Seven
‘I need to spend some time with my mum and help her through her cancer. So there’s a lot to do,’ he said.
However, the announcement doesn’t mean Mark is disappearing from screens entirely.
‘I’ll have a little break, but I can’t not work. I love it. I love sport … It’s magic.’
He added: ‘So I’ve got a couple of things on the radar for next year which we’re looking forward to.’
When asked if there were any other TV shows he’d consider taking on, Mark gave a surprising answer.
‘Ah, well, I don’t mind The Amazing Race actually … I like the idea of travelling around the world,’ he revealed.
Mark announced his departure from Sunrise in an emotional segment on Thursday morning.
‘After 30 years working with the Seven Network and after a lot of long nights and thinking about it, the time is right for me to step away from Sunrise,’ he said.
A short time after dropping the major news, the 59-year-old discussed his ’emotional’ departure and the show he’s eyeing next – revealing that his decision to leave Sunrise was driven by a desire to focus more on family, particularly his mother, Joan, who is battling cancer
‘I don’t mind The Amazing Race … I like the idea of travelling around the world,’ he revealed
‘Working in this job and in sport has been my dream; it has given me the most extraordinary experiences and memories I could ever have wished for.
‘I will treasure all the many good times and many friendships. I’m so proud to have been a part of Sunrise, and it is incredibly hard to leave behind my Sunrise family and the show we have all put so much energy into for the last 22 years.
‘If you had told me in February 1995, when I walked through the doors of Seven Melbourne for my first day, that 30 years later I would still be doing the job I love, I wouldn’t have believed you, but I would have punched the air.’
‘It has been an honour, and I have loved every day, every experience working with the amazing group of people,’ he continued.
After giving his farewell, co-hosts Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington, Natalie Barr and Edwina Bartholomew joined him on the Sunrise set to share the emotional moment.
‘Wow, Berrets… For the last couple of years, I feel privileged to have worked with you full-time. I know it’s very emotional for you,’ Shirvo said as he embraced Mark.
‘I’ve also got to say too, as one of those athletes who worked with you right at the very beginning, coming in as a guest, thank you so much.’
Shirvo went on to say he ‘will never forget’ the moment Mark once introduced him ‘for the first time as a household name’ on television.
After giving his farewell, co-hosts Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington, Natalie Barr and Edwina Bartholomew joined him on the Sunrise set to share the emotional moment
‘You’re always part of the family here,’ he added.
Natalie then slipped in to hug Mark. ‘It’s been amazing, what a ride,’ she said, teasing that the sports presenter was ‘going to cry’.
‘You know what? No one really leaves. You’re going to be back with us. You’re going to be doing things with Seven. We’re never going to get rid of you,’ she added.
Edwina was next, reminding Mark he was the ‘very first person’ to take her ‘under his wing’ when she was only 21 years old.
‘The fact you’ve never drunk a cup of coffee in 22 years and yet you’re always so up and bright and early,’ she joked.
‘You’re the real-life Lego man, where everything is amazing.’
