A familiar face is heading back to 9 News Perth, with journalist and presenter Lee Steele set to return to the newsroom where she spent a decade earlier in her career.
TV Blackbox understands Steele has been recruited for an on air role within the Perth newsroom, which is expected to include reporting duties along with weather presenting, particularly across weekends.
The Perth newsroom has been navigating a period of change following the departure of longtime weather presenter Scherri-Lee Biggs, who relocated earlier this year to take on a prominent weather role with 9 News Melbourne.
Natalia Cooper has since stepped back into the weeknight weather position in Perth, while the network announced just last month that tennis champion Alicia Molik was set to join the bulletin to present weekend sport.
Steele (pictured above) previously spent ten years working inside the Nine newsroom before departing in 2018 to join Network 10, following earlier roles with WIN News and Sydney radio station 2GB.
She has since spent the past eight years with 10 News Perth as a journalist and presenter, also regularly stepping in on weather presenting duties for the local bulletin during that time.
The appointments come as 9 News Perth continues to make ground in the competitive 6pm news battle, closing the gap on long time market leader Seven after years trailing its dominant rival.
The bulletin, anchored by Michael Thomson, recorded audience growth of more than 22 percent in 2025, helped in part by the strength of Tipping Point as a 5pm lead in.
Seven’s record setting duo Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr have also begun scaling back their commitments from this year, with presenting duties now shared across the week, signalling the start of a significant shift in Perth’s evening news landscape.
News of Steele’s appointment is understood to have raised eyebrows within the Perth newsroom, with some staff disappointed suitable internal candidates have been overlooked for similar presenting opportunities.
Yes, those were/are the ‘good old days’. JA aka Jono24, thanks to all.