Face of Nation : Studio 10 has been rocked by another departure, with the morning show’s roving reporter David “Robbo” Robinson leaving after six years.
A tearful Sarah Harris made the surprise announcement this morning alongside a package of Robbo’s biggest moments on the show.
She heaped praise on Robinson, claiming he didn’t know “just how special he is”.
“It’s been such a privilege to see this talented young man grow professionally,” Harris said.
The show’s other hosts also commended Robinson — who was not present for his farewell — for his tireless work and “epic six years” on Studio 10.
“He is one of the most brilliant talents I have seen in years,” an emotional Harris said. “He is just so talented and I don’t even think he realises just how special he is.
“We are all behind you Robbo and we can’t wait to see what you do next, we adore you. We are just so devastated to lose you but we love you, we love you so much.”
“We love you, Robbo,” a teary Angela Bishop added.
Denise Drysdale also praised Robbo for his impressive body of work at Studio 10, saying: “Each time he did something he’d improve and improve and improve.”
“He’s so smart, so talented and just a thoroughly, thoroughly decent wonderful human being,” Joe Hildebrand said.
“Anyone that can get their hands on him they’d be crazy not to snap him up.”
“We love you Robbo!” Harris said. “Thank you for an epic six years, it’s not going to be the same without you.”
A Network 10 spokesman said Robinson had “made an exceptional contribution to the program and we appreciate all he has done”.
“He’s decided it’s time to explore the future and he goes with our very warmest wishes. He’ll always remain a friend of Studio 10,” the statement read.
Robinson hasn’t posted on his social media accounts in months, with the last tweet penned by the reporter in March.
His Twitter bio doesn’t make reference to his work on TV and instead says “nothing. pathetic”, while his Instagram bio reads “nothing”.
After Robinson’s departure was announced, Studio 10 viewers took to the show’s Facebook page to remark that they hadn’t seen the reporter on screen for a while.
“How come he didn’t come on the show to say goodbye to you lot?”
“I love Robbo, but I thought he’d gone long ago, he was on so little … Why didn’t they have you on to say your own goodbyes?”
“I can’t remember the last time I saw Robbo on the show.”
Last year Studio 10 was rocked by two departures within weeks when hosts Jessica Rowe and Ita Buttrose left the show.
Rowe, who had hosted the show since 2013, departed Studio 10 in order to spend time with her two daughters.
“I want to be a more present mother for my girls, Allegra and Giselle,” she said onStudio 10 at the time.
“They need their mum. I want to be there in the mornings for them, to take them to school. It is something that I need to do, it is as simple as that.”
But in an interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly in March of this year Rowe revealed her mental health was also a factor in her decision to leave.
“I could feel at the end of each show, not every day, but most days I would be close to tears,” she told the magazine. “I’d feel that behind my eyes and was just about keeping it together. And I thought, ‘Why am I doing this to myself?’
“I knew that I was heading down, I knew that my anxiety was there, that I was getting depressed and that if I didn’t make a change I’d start to falter.”
Rowe told the magazine she loved her role on Studio 10 but deep down she knew she needed to make a change.
“Now my daughters were getting older, I realised they needed me more than ever,” she said. “I couldn’t ignore my life’s greatest work — being the best mother for them.”
Meanwhile Buttrose’s departure came after a rumoured rift with Drysdale after the now-infamous brussels sprouts incident between the pair.
