After an extraordinary 22 years as sports anchor on Australia’s #1 brekky program, Sunrise, and 30 years with the Seven Network, Mark Beretta has decided it is time to hang up his playing boots.
Beretts will step away from the Sunrise desk in two weeks, capping off an incredible run of more than two decades bringing Aussies their morning sports headlines, highlights and countless historic moments.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Mark Beretta announces Sunrise departure
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Beretts shared the news first with Sunrise viewers and staff during this morning’s show.
In a statement, he said: “After a lot of long nights thinking about it, the time is right for me to step away from Sunrise. If someone had told me back in February 1995 when I walked through the doors of Seven Melbourne for my first day that 30 years later I’d still be doing the job I love, I wouldn’t have believed them.
“Sunrise has been a huge part of my life, and while it’s not easy to say goodbye to my Sunrise family and the show we’ve shared so much passion for, I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done, and the unforgettable moments shared.
“Losing Dad to cancer two months ago, and Mum fighting on against the disease, has made me see the world a little differently. Family time has become even more important. And I want to do more to help the great work of Tour de Cure in finding treatments and cures for cancer,” he said.
Melissa Doyle, Nat Barr, Mark Beretta, David Koch and Grant Denyer on the Sunrise set. Credit: SevenNat Barr, Melissa Doyle, David Koch, Monique Wright and Mark Beretta at the Sunrise desk. Credit: SevenSam Mac, Edwina Bartholomew, Nat Barr, David Koch and Mark Beretta on the Sunrise set. Credit: Seven
“I have so many people to thank – our inspirational Chairman Kerry Stokes, all the great leaders I’ve worked under here at Seven, as well as so many talented colleagues and crew, and the fantastic athletes and sportspeople who have been so generous to me over three decades. From the bottom of my heart thanks to all our viewers, you will always be the best part of Sunrise.
“My passion for sport and athletes and telling their terrific stories will never fade, and I won’t be far away. There are some big events on the horizon that I’m thrilled to be part of, including my ongoing work with Tour de Cure and the annual Sunrise ride, which will continue as always.”
Seven’s Director of Morning Television, Sarah Stinson, said: “Mark has been the heartbeat of Sunrise’s sports coverage for more than two decades. His passion for telling the stories of athletes and everyday Australians have made mornings brighter for viewers right across the country.
“While we’ll miss him, we know he’s ready to kick off the next chapter, with family, charity, and the sports he loves. We thank Mark for his incredible contribution to Sunrise and the Seven Network and wish him all the very best.”
Long-time Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr, who has shared the desk with Beretts for all his years on the show, said: “For more than 20 years we have sat together in the Sunrise studio and what a ride it has been. So many amazing memories of the most special job in the world. You never quite leave the Sunrise family though… so see you soon Beretts!”
Mark Beretta is bidding farewell to Sunrise after 22 years as sports anchor. Credit: SevenEdwina Bartholomew, Nat Barr, Matt Shirvington and Mark Beretta on the Sunrise set. Credit: Seven‘I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done, and the unforgettable moments shared,’ Mark Beretta said as he announced his departure from Sunrise. Credit: Seven
As well as his decades on Sunrise, Beretta has covered 13 Olympic Games for the Seven Network, hosting prime-time coverage of the Sydney 2000 Games and Cathy Freeman’s iconic 400m Gold, and commentated Australia’s first Olympic Freestyle Aerials Gold in 2002. His work spans the AFL, Australian Open Tennis, Supercars, Commonwealth Games, surf lifesaving, waterskiing and many other major sporting events. Beretts has also been part of groundbreaking broadcasts, including a world-first five-country, five-day broadcast for Sunrise, and ran with the Olympic flame in Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008.
Beretts is deeply committed to charitable work, sharing with Sunrise viewers the highs and lows of 16 Tour de Cure rides to raise funds for breakthrough cancer treatments and continuing to champion the cause each year. His dedication has been recognised with the Order of Australia Medal for service to charitable organisations. From hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games launch at Buckingham Palace to working alongside the late Ian Ross as sports anchor for 7NEWS Sydney, Mark has played a pivotal role right across the Seven Network and leaves a lasting legacy to be immensely proud of.
Viewers can tune in for Beretts’ final Sunrise on Friday 12 December as the network thanks him for his exceptional contribution to the Australian TV and sporting landscape over the past three decades.
He will remain a valued part of the Sunrise family and the broader Seven Network, across several special projects, to be announced.
