Presenter CHRIS BATH will have more free time on her hands after not renewing her radio contract.
*This story has been updated
Bath has been the host of Evenings across NSW since 2016, replacing former host Christine Anu, and is also the weekend news presenter for 10 News First.
The ABC has now confirmed Bath won’t be part of their 2020 line-up in a statement to TV Blackbox;
We would like to renew Chris’ contract but Chris has decided to take a break from her show to spend more time with her family. This is her decision. We are sorry Chris won’t be part of ABC Radio Sydney in 2020. Our hope is that she will return to the station in the future. Chris’ replacement on Evenings will be announced next week.
The news comes as The Age reports Sami Shah and Jacinta Parsons are leaving the Melbourne breakfast show after two years due to the ABC also not renewing their contracts. They will be replaced by comedian Sammy J.
While Shah and Parsons are expected to stay with the ABC in some capacity Bath is expected to leave the network and focus on her role with Channel 10.
An earlier version of this story indicated the ABC had chosen not to renew Bath’s contract but a spokesperson for the broadcaster denies that element of the original story and TV Blackbox is happy to accept their word.
Although the ABC was planning on revealing the news next week, they have since issued a media release confirming our report.
In the statement Bath says she has;
“had a ball hosting Evenings and working with my little team and the listeners who make the show truly hum.”
ABC Radio Sydney Manager, Melanie Withnall, said the station was disappointed to lose such an
experienced and talented broadcaster in Chris;
“Chris has been hosting Evenings for three years and in that time has grown her audience across NSW and Canberra,”
“It was our wish that Chris continue in Evenings, but we respect her decision. There will always be a door open for her to return.”
Bath rose to fame throughout her time at the Seven working in the newsroom on shows such as Sunday Night, Olympic Sunrise, Morning News, 11AM and Witness. In 2005 she was the runner-up on Dancing With The stars.
When the legendary Ian Ross retired in 2009 Bath assumed the role of weeknight presenter for 7 News before being replaced in 2014 by Mark Ferguson.
In June 2015 Bath left the network after 25 years and began a series of freelancing roles appearing on shows such as Studio 10 and The Project.
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Will miss her, made the drive home enjoyable with her style but wondered how sustainable six days a week of work was. Sadly four years is the tipping point.
Will miss her, made the drive home enjoyable with her style but wondered how sustainable six days a week of work was. Sadly four years is the tipping point.