Melissa Doyle reveals how she found confidence again after Sunrise axing

Melissa Doyle has revealed that living by the mantra ‘s**t happens’ helped her after she was controversially sacked from Sunrise eight years ago. 

The 51-year-old, who parted ways with Channel Seven last August after 25 years, spoke to Nova’s Powerful Steps podcast this week about how she recovered from being replaced as anchor by Sam Armytage in 2013.

‘Every change has been a challenge, but I think it’s really important to not look for the negative in things that happen,’ she said.

‘S**t happens’: Melissa Doyle has revealed that living by the mantra ‘s**t happens’ helped her after she was controversially sacked from Sunrise eight years ago

She explained that challenges she experienced as a child helped give her the strength to work through trying times in her TV career.

‘Like so many people growing up, there was, you know, my parents split when I was a tiny baby and both of my parents remarried a few times,’ Melissa said.

‘So I grew up with my motto being “s**t happens”, you know? And I think it’s really important to just remember s**t happens and I’m not going to sit in the corner and [say] woe is me.’

Melissa went on to say she struggled to make sense of life following her departure from Seven as she’d spent more than two decades commuting to the same office. 

Pioneer: Melissa was one of Sunrise's first hosts, before the breakfast show was temporarily axed in 1999 and brought back the following year. Pictured alongside co-host David Koch

Pioneer: Melissa was one of Sunrise’s first hosts, before the breakfast show was temporarily axed in 1999 and brought back the following year. Pictured alongside co-host David Koch

Moving on: Mel, who parted ways with Channel Seven last August after 25 years, spoke to Nova's Powerful Steps podcast this week about how she recovered from being replaced as anchor by Sam Armytage (left) in 2013. Sam herself quit the breakfast show earlier this month

Moving on: Mel, who parted ways with Channel Seven last August after 25 years, spoke to Nova’s Powerful Steps podcast this week about how she recovered from being replaced as anchor by Sam Armytage (left) in 2013. Sam herself quit the breakfast show earlier this month

‘I had to adjust in so many ways because I’d been there for so long that I felt like I was part of the furniture. So I had to, in my brain, stop talking about myself working at Seven in the present tense,’ she said.

‘And then every morning I’d hop in the car to go to the gym or go somewhere and it’d say, you know, “Twenty-five minutes to Martin Place.” And that was like, oh, gee, thanks, you know, throwing salt in the wound. But it took a little while just to kind of, I guess, get over it.’

The broadcaster announced in August last year she was leaving Seven after 25 years.

Her departure was believed to be the result of the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit Seven particularly hard.

End of an era: Mel announced in August last year she was leaving Seven after 25 years

End of an era: Mel announced in August last year she was leaving Seven after 25 years

She said at the time: ‘For 25 years, I have called Channel Seven home. I’ve had the privilege to share stories that mattered, meet incredible people and be there for significant moments in history. 

‘I am incredibly proud of the work I have done and appreciative of the trust and warmth our viewers have shown me.

‘I want to thank the consummate professionals I have worked with along the way, in particular our Chairman Kerry Stokes for his constant support. 

‘I leave Seven with a great deal of pride, satisfaction and gratitude.’

Tough times: Her departure was believed to be the result of the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit Seven particularly hard

Tough times: Her departure was believed to be the result of the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit Seven particularly hard 

Melissa first joined Seven’s Canberra bureau as a political reporter back in 1995.

She then moved to Sydney, working as a newsreader on the network’s 11AM program.

Melissa was one of Sunrise’s first hosts, before the breakfast show was temporarily axed in 1999 and brought back the following year.

The mother of two rejoined the program in 2002, and also hosted a string of other shows for the network, including Today Tonight and Sunday Night. 

Nowadays, Melissa has her hands full as a Smooth FM radio host, and an ambassador for a number of charities including World Vision, Make A Wish Foundation, Children’s Hospital Westmead and the Alannah & Madeline Foundation.

Stellar career: In addition to Sunrise, Melissa hosted a string of other shows for the network, including Today Tonight and Sunday Night

Stellar career: In addition to Sunrise, Melissa hosted a string of other shows for the network, including Today Tonight and Sunday Night