After being sacked from the Today Show for accepting a $50,000 gift from billionaire Adrian Portelli, Alex Cullen has finally broken his silence.
The embattled journalist took to social media to thank his supporters and express his gratitude for their kind words during a difficult time.
A Difficult Time for Alex Cullen
Cullen shared a heartfelt post on Sunday, featuring a photo of him and his three-year-old son Max. “A quick note from me,” he began.
“This has been a very difficult time, and I just want to say thank you to all the wonderful people who reached out. It means the world to me and my young family.”
He also took the opportunity to bid farewell to his colleagues at the Today Show, wishing them all the best.
The Controversy that Led to His Axing
The controversy surrounding Cullen’s departure from the Today Show began when he accepted a $50,000 cash gift from Adrian Portelli, a billionaire and star of the reality TV show The Block.
Portelli had offered the money to any journalist or presenter who would refer to him as “McLaren Man” instead of his old nickname “Lambo Man”.
Cullen obliged, calling Portelli by his new nickname on-air, and received the $50,000 payment.
The Fallout
The fallout from the incident was swift, with Nine Network taking immediate action. “Nine is taking this matter extremely seriously,” a spokesperson said.
“Appropriate action has been promptly taken, including arranging for the funds to be returned.”
Cullen was subsequently let go from the Today Show, with his colleague Karl Stefanovic announcing the news on air.
A New Chapter for Alex Cullen
As Cullen looks to the future, he remains positive and grateful for the support of his fans. “I will miss my colleagues at Today, and wish them the best,” he said.
“Thank you again, and I look forward to whatever comes next.” With his departure from the Today Show, Cullen is now free to explore new opportunities and start a new chapter in his career.
What’s Next for Alex Cullen?
Only time will tell what’s next for Alex Cullen, but one thing is certain – he will always be grateful for the support of his fans and colleagues.
As he navigates this new chapter in his life, we wish him all the best and look forward to seeing what the future holds for this talented journalist.