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Sarah Murdoch quits Australia’s Next Top Model

Another Top Model shock from Sarah Murdoch, who steps aside as both host and producer of the Foxtel series.

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Sarah Murdoch has resigned from her role as host and co-executive producer of Australia’s Next Top Model.

Murdoch joined the hit Foxtel series for its 2009 season following the exit of Jodhi Meares. She signed on as a producer with her Room 323 production company in conjunction with Granada Australia. She added more empathy to the show which had been criticised for bullying and bitching.

Her most famous, or infamous, moment will always be the 2010 finale when she accidentally announced the wrong winner. Shine Australia then took on producing the series.

Brian Walsh, Foxtel’s Executive Director of Television, said: “Sarah has made a remarkable contribution to Australia’s Next Top Model and was instrumental in propelling the programme to its most successful season ever, in 2011. We would like to thank Sarah for her passion, commitment and incredible support of the series. Naturally we are disappointed to lose her, but the show goes on.

“Australia’s Next Top Model is, and remains, Foxtel’s most enduring and successful local production. With the next cycle we promise another exciting series on FOX8 with more world locations, more beautiful girls and more of the best television that only the likes of Alex Perry and Charlotte Dawson can deliver. We wish Sarah continued success in her future endeavours.”

Sarah Murdoch said: “It has been an incredible opportunity to work on a show as exciting and popular as Australia’s Next Top Model. Leaving the show has been a very difficult decision for me. Being entrusted to work on all aspects as host and co-executive producer has been a huge experience and I have enjoyed it so much. Brian Walsh has been an amazing mentor and I would like to thank him and Foxtel for the opportunity to work on subscription television’s highest rating series.”

Murdoch’s name has been previously touted in contention for TEN’s new Breakfast series, but so far there is no confirmation of a female co-host.

With Murdoch’s exit from ANTM, attention will now turn to her successor, with Project Runway Australia host Megan Gale likely to be under consideration along with ANTM judge Charlotte Dawson.

18 Responses

  2. umm i think miranda kerr would be the best choice…australian, beautiful, model and alot of personality to carry the show.

    if they could get her could you imagine…wow!!!

  3. I agree with David, Charlotte does a fabulous job as being the resident ‘bitch’ and she helps bring a certain edge to the show. It would be wrong to change her to a hosting role. Ive seen her do hosting duties on the Arena’s Sydney Mardi Gras coverage earlier this year and she was wooden and stale. Keep her on the judging panel and let her do what she does best.

  4. Oh please please please give Charlotte the job. The woman has proved herself and is more than capable of leading the show..

    As for the ‘bitch factor’ judge.. I wonder whether our version would be able to offer Janice Dickson a job as judge? You know since she’s still feuding with Tyra..

  5. Well this is sad news indeed. Sarah elevated this series so much in production as well as being host. She is going to be missed big time.

    I guess now i’ll say it. Is she about to be named the new co-host to Breakfast?

  6. It’s not as if she needs the work or the money – of course she should be doing something way more valuable with her time – like raising funds for breast cancer research. Next Top Model? Who the hell cares about that? Her father in law owns everyone she delas with – it must be awful and ridiculous in equal measure.

  12. Before Murdoch replaced Meares wasn’t Gale already considered? Kind of embarrassing to be the second choice to the gig, surely there’s another Australian modelling and fashion identity that can be hired. Hawkins doesn’t really have the model credibility to anchor the show. Too bad Macpherson isn’t Aus based anymore.

    My suggestion, Foxtel should campaign hard to get Liz Hurley to do a stint in Aus for a few months to film the show.

    1. The problem with shifting Dawson as host, and she would certainly be capable of it, is that she has been so effective as the “tough love” judge, and a double act with Alex Perry. As host she would need to lose her bitch factor, which she delivers so well. So you’re effectively causing change to two roles, rather than one.

  16. This is horrible news. I don’t think people who didn’t watch earlier seasons realize how much has changed from just a production standpoint. Forget the actual hosting requirements. Sarah elevated the whole thing.

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