Channel Nine reporter Clint Stanaway, 42, has been emotionally farewelled by the Nine network after lifting the lid on his abrupt exit.
The former Today show reporter and Weekend Today host shocked viewers back in September after announcing he was leaving Channel Nine after 25 years with the network.
Appearing on the Big Bros podcast, Clint revealed that the high-profile gig, coupled with radio commitments, had adverse effects on his physical and mental health.
It wasn’t long after that he announced he would be focusing on his career in breakfast radio, as news reporter on Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren show.
“Physically, first and foremost, I was just getting sick a lot, pushing the envelope,” he shared.
“I had really bad gut issues, I was getting headaches, I wasn’t sleeping well, which is ironic, because I was so tired, but I just couldn’t sleep.”
The reporter then went on to describe the harrowing moment he realised he needed to shift his priorities completely.
“It was scary. I was getting chest issues, like I had chest pain … and a bit of anxiety as well,” he recalled.
“When I finished work, I was going home because I was exhausted. I’d sit on the couch, go to bed.
“In fact, every day was set an alarm, go to bed, wake up, go to work, and sometimes go to work radio, go to work TV in the same day, come home at seven o’clock, make my dinner, sit on the couch, go to bed. That was all I was doing.”
Now, in an emotional segment, Stanaway revealed it has “been the greatest privilege” of his life.
“It’s so beautiful to hear such beautiful words from of my mates and mentors in the industry. And what an honour it is.
I always wanted to work in TV and I always wanted to work here Channel Nine, and it has been the greatest privilege of my life.
“This is absolutely the best newsroom, not in Melbourne but in Australia. [It’s] full of great people and friends for life. I will always be a Nine always, forever.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way and thank you to those at home. Those that have watched; for inviting us and me into your loungeroom, [it’s] been a great privilege.
“It is with a really heavy heart, but I needed to make a decision and I’ll miss you,” he said.
The star, affectionately known as ‘charismatic Clint’, also addressed the move in a heartfelt post on social media.
“When I first walked into the Nine Newsroom as an 18-year-old, I knew instantly it was the place for me. I’ve always treasured my job, be it on Nine News, as co-host of Weekend Today or as part of the Wide World of Sports team,” he wrote on Instagram.
“It’s been a huge workload juggling both TV and being part of the Melbourne Nova breakfast team over the past couple of years. I am passionate about my new found love for radio and have decided to give it priority moving forward, while I also look to strike a better work/life balance. Unfortunately that means departing Nine.”
Viewers are devastated to see him go, with some branding the move as “heartbreaking.”
“I will miss seeing him on the weekend edition, always fun, kind and caring,” wrote one on Today’s Facebook page.
“Will miss Clint on the weekends. I teared up last weekend when you announced it,” said another.
“Very sad and sorry to see Clint go … he’s just so down to earth and has real Aussie humour … hope to see you return one day,” said a third.
