Queensland’s 10 News First chief executive Erin Edwards shocked staff on Thursday after she announced her resignation.
Known as a behind-the-scenes mover and shaker, Edwards was hired by Seven to take on the role of News Director for Brisbane and Gold Coast.
Edwards will begin his new role in 2025 after spending just 15 months at Channel 10.
According to inside sources, the popular executive’s sudden departure left her former employees shocked and stunned.
“We are devastated,” a network source told the Courier Mail on Saturday.
They continued: “She has created a fantastic working environment, although we understand her decision, it is still very difficult to accept.”
Edwards has not publicly revealed his reasons for leaving Channel 10 and returning to his former network.
In a statement released on Thursday, the veteran journalist said: ‘I’m thrilled to be returning home to 7NEWS Brisbane and Gold Coast and leading Queensland’s best news team.
Queensland’s 10 News First chief executive Erin Edwards (pictured) shocked staff on Thursday after she announced her resignation
“I was a teenager when I first joined the Seven newsroom as an intern.
‘I grew up within its walls and for two decades I shared some of this state’s greatest stories. I can’t wait to tell you more.
Edwards, who has been a journalist for more than twenty years, has worked for Seven News in Mackay, the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Townsville.
Among his accolades is the Walkley Award for reporting on the Lockyer Valley flood.
Edwards will begin his new role in 2025 after spending just 15 months at Channel 10, the Courier Mail reported on Saturday. Pictured: Edwards with former Channel Seven Queensland star Sharyn Ghidella
During his time at Channel 10, it was Edwards who convinced TV presenter Sharyn Ghidella to join the network after the beloved broadcaster was shockingly axed by rival Seven.
Known as the face of Seven News in Queensland, Ghidella, 57, shocked fans earlier this year when she confirmed she had been made redundant after 17 years amid a series of media job cuts.
However, her abrupt departure was followed by the surprise news that she was moving to rival Network 10 to anchor its 5pm Queensland news bulletin with fellow Seven star Liz Cantor.
In August, Ghidella revealed exactly how the job offer came about, admitting he hadn’t secured the exciting new job before leaving Seven.
She revealed that she received a call from Edwards, but thought it was just to give her support rather than a job offer.
“I thought it was a lovely, friendly ‘I’m sorry about what happened to you,’ but she was planning and thinking about the future,” she told TV Tonight.
During his time at Channel 10, it was Edwards who convinced Sharyn Ghidella (pictured) to join the network after the beloved newsreader was shockingly axed by rival Seven
Edwards arranged for Ghidella – who began his career at Network 10 more than two decades ago – to speak to head of broadcast news Martin White.
“I think the next week Martin called me and said, ‘Can we meet?’ The next minute I was signing a contract,” she explained.
Meanwhile, there has been a cost-cutting bloodbath at Seven as the network’s news division comes under new management.
Three key names on the network include veterans Robert Ovadia, Andrew Frampton and experienced Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud.
#Channel #turmoil #key #staffer #leaves #network #shortly #Sharyn #Ghidellas #controversial #departure #devastated