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Sarah Abo has announced she is leaving Nine's Today show after maternity leave, saying becoming a mother has heralded a new chapter in her life.
Sarah Abo has announced she is leaving Nine's Today show. Abo, who has been on maternity leave since July, made her announcement on Wednesday, the day before Nine's upfronts event.
At that event the broadcaster, which owns this masthead, traditionally unveils its 2027 line-up. It has long been speculated that Nine would announce its new Today show line-up at the event. Rumours have swirled that either Samantha Armytage or Sylvia Jeffreys could join the program, along with Tom Steinfort. Abo's departure leaves the breakfast program facing further change after a turbulent year.
In a statement on Wednesday, Abo said: Words can't express how grateful I am to our viewers for letting me into your homes to be part of your morning routine. Without you, there is no 60 Minutes. I've spent my time at Nine chasing stories, travelling and reporting from all over the world, interviewing some incredible and inspiring people from all walks of life.
Becoming a mum has heralded a new chapter and sharing that with our audience has been truly special. As many of you know, this has been a significant journey for my family and will continue to be my greatest achievement. Today team, the amazing crew, incredible producers and my wonderful fellow hosts, you all know how much you mean to me.
It takes a special kind of crazy to wake up at the hours we do, but it's so much easier when the team feels like family. I'll miss you all dearly. The breakfast program was thrown into turmoil earlier this year with the sacking of long-time host Karl Stefanovic. He had his contract terminated after he interviewed convicted fraudster and right-wing agitator Tommy Robinson on his podcast, with David Campbell.
The fallout from that interview also produced a legal bust-up, with claims flying that the situation was oppressive and unfair. The podcast episode in question featured David Campbell as a guest. Nine executive director of news and current affairs Fiona Dear paid tribute to Abo. Sarah has been an integral part of the Today team, bringing warmth, energy and first-class journalism to the program each morning, Dear said.
It takes enormous skill to front 3½ hours of live television every day, and Sarah did it with sharp journalistic instincts. We thank her for everything she brought to Today, and wish Sarah and her family all the very best. Abo's statement reflected on the range of work she has done during her time at Nine, from reporting trips around the world to studio hosting.
She described the opportunity to share her journey into motherhood with the audience as truly special. She also made clear that her family remains her priority, calling that journey her greatest achievement. Her farewell message singled out the crew, producers and fellow hosts who make the early-morning program possible. Abo said the team felt like family, which made the demanding hours far easier to handle.
She told viewers she will miss them all dearly. The timing of the announcement places Abo's exit at the centre of Nine's planning for next year. The upfronts event is where the network typically reveals its programming slate and on-air talent for the year ahead. With Abo stepping away and Stefanovic already gone, Today is heading into the new year with a significantly different line-up.
The speculation about Armytage, Jeffreys and Steinfort has added to the sense of change around the show. Abo has not detailed her next professional move. Her statement focused on gratitude to viewers and colleagues, and on the new chapter she is entering with her family. Her departure marks the end of a period in which she became one of the network's most prominent morning television figures.
Nine's tribute highlighted both her journalistic instincts and the warmth she brought to the program. The network is expected to confirm its plans for Today at the upfronts. Until then, the question of who will sit alongside the remaining hosts remains open, with several names in the frame. For viewers, Abo's message was simple and personal.
She thanked them for letting her into their homes each morning and said that without them there is no 60 Minutes, a nod to the wider Nine news and current affairs family she has been part of.
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smh:Sarah Abo announces she is leaving Today, with new line-up expected soon 
brisbanetimes:Sarah Abo announces she is leaving Today, with new line-up expected soonThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Sarah Abo Today Show Nine News Maternity Leave Hosting Nine Network Karl Stefanovic Nine Upfronts TV Departure Nine Today Show
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