She has built a reputation as one of the most trusted faces on Australian television. But with recent news that high-profile Channel Seven star Melissa Doyle is leaving the network after 25 years, rival networks are now fighting to snap her up.
WATCH BELOW: Mel Doyle departs Channel Seven
Nine Network is said to be pulling out all the stops to sign Mel, 50, in what is rumoured to be a multimillion-dollar deal.
And in a surprising move, Mel, who helped transform Sunrise into a TV juggernaut in her time as co-host, is poised to make her long-awaited return to breakfast television at Sunrise’s bitter rival, the Today show.
“Mel is going back to brekkie TV,” a source tells New Idea. “It’s a good move as she knows how to do it.”
But there may be one person standing in the way of Mel’s triumphant TV return at Nine – Karl Stefanovic.
“Everyone knows that one of Karl’s best mates is Samantha Armytage, and Sam and Mel are not very close at all,” the source says.
“Nine know that he is so loyal to Sam, but he’s been told to pull his head in.”
There have long been rumours of a feud between Mel and Sam – who was her replacement at Sunrise. Sam has previously hosed down the speculation, saying talk
of a feud was simply “gossip”.
However, she added, “Women aren’t always nice to each other in the newsroom. Older women particularly aren’t always nice to younger women.”
But Karl’s concerns about Mel’s move to Today would appear misplaced. Our source says Mel could appear on Today over the summer non-ratings period, while Karl and current co-host Allison Langdon are on leave.
“Nine bosses want her for the summer Today show, which means Karl and Mel will not work together,” the source explains.
Regardless, Mel does have pals at Nine, including Richard ‘Dickie’ Wilkins and David Campbell.
Mel – who is also currently working on a book about her career – played coy when recently asked in an interview about a possible switch to Nine.
“Don’t think they need me, they’ve got a great team,” she told the Daily Telegraph.
But Nine aren’t having everything their way. Also said to be throwing their hat in the ring for Mel is Network Ten, where she has an ally in The Project’s Lisa Wilkinson.
“So much admiration for you,” Lisa posted on Instagram, following Mel’s announcement she was leaving Seven on August 21.
“After 25 hugely successful years at Channel Seven, you are, as always, a class act with your news today.”
Is Mel set to join Lisa at Ten? And after axing stars – including Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Natarsha Belling – can the network really afford her?
KAK’s back!
Just weeks after she was sacked by Network Ten, much-loved TV presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerley is on par to join Mel Doyle at the Nine Network.
And in exciting news, KAK is set to reclaim her title as daytime TV queen when she swings into a role as host of a revamped version of her old Midday show, which she hosted from 1996 to 1998.
And just last week, Kerri-Anne, 66, was spotted playing a round of golf with Nine executive, Nick Falloon.
The rumours come after Nine recently pulled Ellen DeGeneres’ chat show amid controversy surrounding an alleged “toxic work culture” at the show.
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