Search

Why Ita Buttrose chose to leave the ABC

In her last week as the head of the ABC, Ita Buttrose has broken her silence on why she chose to step down from the role. Speaking with Stellar magazine ahead of International Women's Day, the 82-year-old journalist has clarified that her decision to leave the public broadcaster had “nothing to do with current events.” After serving her five-year term, reports have swirled that her departure is related to the December sacking of presenter Antoinette Lattouf, who was let go after she shared a social media post about the Israel Gaza war, in which she condemned the treatment of Palestinian civilians. Following the controversial sacking, more than 100 of ABC's union staff slammed managing director David Anderson triggering a vote of no confidence. Ms Buttrose supported Mr Anderson through the ordeal, declaring it’s “abhorrent and incorrect” that he showed a lack of support for independent journalists amid Ms Lattouf’s axing. Due to the chaos at the ABC, many speculated that Buttrose's departure was to escape the turmoil, but she has since refuted the claims. “I did notify the government and the minister Michelle Rowland in August last year that I was not going to seek another term,” Ms Buttrose told Stellar. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C366msrI_qc/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C366msrI_qc/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Stellar (@stellarmag)</a> </div> </blockquote> “Five years is quite a long time to serve the ABC. I know some chairs have gone on and done a second term, but I’m conscious that I’m a woman of a certain age. And despite [US president] Joe Biden thinking he should run another term – I don’t think he should – sometimes you need to examine yourself and say, ‘Well, I am a person of a certain age and everything’s fine, and cognitively I’m good’ but still, weigh it up. Another five years. What would it be like?" “You have to know in yourself when you need to step aside. I felt that. It had nothing to do with any current events.” Ms Buttrose went on to defend questions surrounding outside influence on the national broadcaster. “The role of independence of the national broadcaster is paramount to what we do. It’s enshrined in legislation,” she said. “The ABC and I have never been influenced by outside lobbyists, people passionate about their particular cause as politicians, commercial interests, you name it." “The ABC has never caved in. I’ve never caved in. Neither has the managing director nor the board.” Image credits: Getty Images

Retirement Life

Ita Buttrose slams Meghan Markle’s drama toward Royal Family

Ita Buttrose has slammed Meghan Markle and her recent attacks on the Royal Family in her podcast Archetypes and <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/meghan-markle-gets-candid-in-groundbreaking-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview with The Cut</a>. The ABC chair appeared at her old workplace at Studio 10 where she called out the Duchess of Sussex for continuing to cause drama for the royals. “I don't want to be unkind, but she's just a celebrity,” the 80-year-old said. “There's nothing wrong with being a celebrity, but she's one of many. “[She and Prince Harry] don't have the royal family to fall back on [anymore]. So they have to make every interview count. “So, because of the other plans she's got – you know, the books, the movies, whatever – she wants to make sure she stands out in a crowd. So she makes provocative statements. “Once, she was a princess of the realm. [Now] she goes on about her business of being a celebrity.” Meghan has released two episodes from her podcast Archetypes as well as The Cut interview where she spoke of the Royal Family’s “red flags”, the difficulty of moving to California, losing her father and trying to "forgive" her in-laws. She also compared herself to Nelson Mandela, saying that a cast member of the Lion King that South Africans “danced in the street” when she married Prince Harry - just like when “Mandela was freed from prison”. Some of <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/australia-s-top-breakfast-tv-hosts-attack-meghan-markle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australia’s top TV show hosts</a> called out the Duchess for her “tone deaf” comments. Images: Getty

News

Ita Buttrose threatens to protest lockdown laws

Ita Buttrose, the 79-year-old ABC chair and media personality who was the editor of the Women’s Weekly for five years, made her feelings known during a keynote speech at the Australian HR Institute's Public Sector Conference via video link. “In Sydney we are told the current lockdown might continue until December," said Buttrose. "That would be utterly unbearable; I think I would have to protest.” Buttrose said she’s only felt compelled to protest once before, when she marched on Parliament House in Canberra in 2011. It was only a few weeks ago when thousands of Sydney residents gathered for an anti-lockdown protest and similar protests were held in Victoria and Queensland. In her 45-minute speech, Buttrose elaborated on how she was concerned her civil rights had all but ceased during the pandemic. “And I know we have to all band together to beat COVID and we know that it's a killer of a disease and we're not vaccinated well enough,” she said. 'We all know the problems and we all know we have to get through this. And we will get through it, but it's not going to be easy.” Concerned in previous lockdown as well Buttrose expressed concerns during Sydney's first lockdown early last year, when the whole country was shut down. She revealed on Studio 10 last October that she’d some “dark moments” and at one point, found herself bursting into tears. “I think it was just, it was just the impact of this odd world we were living in. But then you sort of think, ‘pull yourself together, Ita’,” she added. She said daily exercise helped clear her mind and kept her “grounded.” She said her dog Cleo - named after the magazine she famously edited in the 1970's - kept her in great company. After her speech at the Public Sector Conference last week, the ABC issued a statement on her behalf. “In that speech I spoke about the very serious issues we face due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement read. “I also made some light-hearted remarks to lighten the mood. “They were delivered with a smile and were received by the audience with the humour they were intended.” Ita Buttrose is well-known for her career in the media. Sh left school when she was 15 years old in 1957 to become a copy girl at the Australian Women's Weekly magazine. She then became a reporter and later, the woman's editor for the Daily Telegraph. Later, she founded the women’s magazine, Cleo, and then became the youngest ever editor of Woman's Weekly when she was 33 in 1975. Prime Minister Scott Morrison appointed her as chair of the ABC last year. Photo: Getty Images

Legal

"She's a failure": Ita Buttrose cops direct spray from Michael Kroger

Liberal Party powerbroker Michael Kroger has urged ABC chairwoman Ita Buttrose to "just resign", revealing senior cabinet ministers regret ever putting her in the job. In an epic spray on Sky News, Mr Kroger has described the businesswoman, founding editor of Cleo magazine and now Chairman of the ABC as "a failure" because the national broadcaster was anti-Liberal. “Ita should resign,’’ Mr Kroger told Sky News. “Ita has been a terrible failure. And I know there are many people in the Coalition, including people in the cabinet who regret her appointment.” Ms Buttrose, a former Australian of the Year, was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in 1979 and an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1998. She advanced to a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2019. “She and some of those board members should go. She’s lost control of the Board. The Board has lost control of the managing director. The managing director has certainly lost control of news and current affairs,’’ Mr Kroger said. Mr Kroger, who served on the ABC board for five years, said the ABC could not be reformed because the left-wing staff ran the organisation in defiance of any outside interference. “The ABC staff are more powerful than ever,’’ he said. Mr Kroger went on to describe various programs as throwing “political acid” in the Liberal Party’s face. “They have weaponised Four Corners, Q&A in particular, which is like political acid in the face of the Liberal Party,’’ he said. “It’s a shockingly biased program. The Drum, these current affairs shows are just weaponised against the Coalition.” The Liberal Party powerbroker then claimed that the ABC's flagship current affairs program had investigated the "behaviour" of a senior ALP figure but had failed to publish a story. “I mean Four Corners had evidence of behaviour of a senior Labor frontbencher that they have not put to air. They have not been put to air. “They’ve got a lot of evidence. Now, they give the usual reasons I gather on the grapevine that, “Oh, well there wasn’t quite enough. “Well, there wasn’t quite enough against Christian Porter. As they admitted the other day when they settled. And I take the view that Christian Porter did exceptionally well with this litigation. Because the ABC had to admit they were never able to prove this.” Sky Host Chris Kenny proceeded to accuse Mr Porter of rape, which is he denies, saying it was “disgusting stuff to put into the public arena.” Mr Kroger then ended the interview by again calling for Ms Buttrose to resign. “She’s a failure. She should resign. You can’t get everything right in life. Morrison has got pretty much everything else right. But this was a bad appointment by the Coalition cabinet.” “She’s been a hopeless failure. It’s more biased. This is like a train that has got no driver.”

News

Ita Buttrose says millennials lack resilience and “need hugging”

ABC chairwoman Ita Buttrose has said young workers lack resilience and “almost need hugging”. Speaking at the Australia-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Buttrose said the younger generation has grown more demanding of the office culture. “The younger workers like more transparency,” she said, as reported by the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/buttrose-says-millennial-workers-lack-resilience-and-need-hugging-20200722-p55ekh.html">Sydney Morning Herald and The Age</a>. “It seems to me that today’s younger workers, they need much more reassurance and they need to be thanked, which is something many companies don’t do. “They’re very keen on being thanked and they almost need hugging – that’s before COVID of course, we can’t hug any more – but they almost need hugging.” The 78-year-old media figure said younger workers “seem to lack the resilience that I remember from my younger days” and suggested it might have resulted from “bad parenting”. “We older parents have very set views about resilience and, you know, I think it’s something we need to foster in everybody from a very young age,” she said. The comments were made under Chatham House Rule, which is meant to prevent the identification of the person, and were relayed to the outlets by sources attending the event. Buttrose has received backlash over the comments, citing the lack of secure employment in recent years. Former ABC’s Four Corners journalist Sophie McNeill wrote on Twitter: “Lack resilience? How insulting. Us millennials at the ABC were usually paid less but expected to do so much more than many of our older colleagues, plus many are on insecure contracts for years – [Buttrose] clearly needs to go and meet more of them.” “Strange thing to say in the middle of ABC job losses, while youth unemployment is at a 23 year high,” posted Shalailah Medhora, journalist at ABC’s national youth broadcaster Triple J. Fellow Triple J journalist Avani Dias said Buttrose declined her team’s invitation to speak with “young workers … the very young people who are more likely to have lost work during the pandemic and be in unstable jobs than older Australians”.

News

“We might be biased”: ABC chair Ita Buttrose admits broadcaster lacks diversity

ABC chairwoman Ita Buttrose has admitted that the accusations over the media outlet being biased may be accurate. Conservative voters have slammed the news organisation and its presenters of a left-wing bias and now the chair has said that those statements may have some merit, with a few reporters letting their own views cloud their judgement. Buttrose was appointed as chairwoman of the ABC in February after her predecessor Justin Milne resigned. “Sometimes I think we might be biased,” Buttrose told ABC Radio Melbourne on Wednesday. “Sometimes we could do with more diversity of views. I haven’t got a problem with anybody’s view, but I think we need to make sure ours is as diverse as we can make it. “People, without really knowing it, let a bias show through. I think we can all do that. But the way you deflect the critics that like to give us a tough time is by having a wider viewpoint.” Buttrose, who has previously been named Australian of the Year, was brought into the corporation during a time of turmoil as the ABC had freshly sacked managing director Michelle Guthrie. Ms Guthrie alleged she was pressured from those higher up to fire chief economics correspondent Emma Alberici and political editor Andrew Probyn for criticising the Liberal party. However, Mr Milne denied all accusations, saying the sacking of the two journalists had nothing to do with him. Buttrose informed ABC staff about job security, saying they have nothing to worry about despite an annual funding indexation freeze from July 2019, which will set them back $84 million over three years. According to the 77-year-old, there are currently no plans to shut down ABC radio and television branches. “There are many things that can be cut. There are many things that can be changed,” she said. The media mogul will sit down with Communications Minister Paul Fletcher next week to discuss funding and the future of the broadcaster. “It’s no good bleating and whimpering,” she said. “We’ve got to present a case as to why we need it, what it’s for, where it’ll take us, what our plans are for the future, what the digital impact will be on the way we do broadcasting.” According to the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), close to $340 million has been slashed from the ABC base funding since 2014.

News

Ita Buttrose’s important message for people with this disease

Ita Buttrose, the new Chair of the ABC, has urged those with a history of macular disease to get regularly checked for the degenerative eye condition. She wants all Australians to know that if a family member has macular disease, which is also the nation’s leading cause of blindness and vision loss, there is a whopping 50 per cent chance a member of the same family will contract the disease. As the patron of the Macular Disease Foundation of Australia, 77-year-old Buttrose has been vigilant in raising awareness about the disease. “We are trying very hard to get the message across that if you have a family member with macular disease, you have to be very vigilant and you have to have your eyes checked on a regular basis — every two years — and you have to make sure the specialist or the optician checks your macular,” Buttrose said to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/ita-buttrose-urging-families-with-history-of-macular-disease-to-get-their-eyes-checked/news-story/8f353ef02d703281bf7fdc5da1b2d0aa" target="_blank">The Daily Telegraph</a>. Buttrose has been personally impacted by the disease, as her beloved father Charles contracted the disease in his 70s and never recovered his eyesight before his passing in 1999. “There were seven siblings in dad’s family and of the seven, four got macular degeneration, so you can see how hereditary it is,” she said. “When dad was diagnosed, there was no Macular Disease Foundation, so I contacted the Royal Blind Society and I got every helpful device that I could find — things for phones, things that could make prints larger — whatever might help him. “His great joy in life was reading the newspapers every morning and suddenly he couldn’t because you lose your central vision — your macular is what provides your central vision. It’s just behind the retina so it’s what enables you to read, to do fine needlework, distinguish faces, drive … All these sorts of things.” She also explains that 1 in 7 Australians over the age of 50 display some sign of macular degeneration. Her father’s brother, Gerald, has been luckier than his older sibling, but has also had over 100 injections to save his eye and his vision. “My Uncle Gerald — he’s 96 in August — his vision was saved because we now have injections for wet macular. There are two types of macular, wet and dry — there is no treatment for dry. He managed to drive until he was 93, he’s given it up now, but he still reads, he still writes family histories.” Due to Buttrose’s family history, she remains ever vigilant. “I’m very vigilant. I get my macular checked every year because I know I am at risk because of the family history. The ophthalmologist always says, “Oh, your macular is pristine”, and it’s good, thank you.” An eye examination once a year and a macular check every two years is a standard recommendation for those over 50 with a family history of the disease.

Caring

Ita Buttrose gets defensive as the Today Extra panel discuss her sex life

She’s used to asking the tough questions, but the tables were turned on Ita Buttrose during a panel discussion on Friday's episode of Today Extra. During a debate about a blogger's opinion that men prefer “debt-free virgins without tattoos”, the 76-year-old became defensive when asked about her own sex life Prue MacSween pointed out that the former Cleo editor once committed herself to celibacy. “Ita was known as the woman who had never had sex!” she said. “Don't be ridiculous, I had two children,” Ita snapped back. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fiwakeupwithtoday%2Fvideos%2F2101902129844441%2F&show_text=1&width=560" width="560" height="432" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> Ita explained that she had chosen to abstain from sex in the ‘80s as part of a health campaign amid the HIV/AIDS epidemic. “You shouldn't sleep around and a lot of us had signed the celibacy pact,” she said. “I did not sign it for life.” <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/ita-buttroses-surprising-new-job">Ita is co-hosting</a> Today Extra with David Campbell while Sonia Kruger is away on a “top secret” work assignment, Less than three months ago, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/04/ita-buttrose-explains-her-sudden-departure-from-studio-10/">Ita shocked fans</a> when she announced she was leaving rival morning show Studio 10 after five years.

Body

Ita Buttrose’s surprising new job

Less than three months after her shock departure from Studio 10, Ita Buttrose has scored a new job on a rival network. The veteran TV presenter appeared on Nine’s Today Extra this morning, where she revealed she’d be co-hosting the show alongside David Campbell while Sonia Kruger was away on a “top-secret” work assignment next week. “It’s lovely having you here. Sonia’s going on a bit of a trip next week — she’s got to go away and do a story overseas — so you’re going to come and help …” Campbell said during the segment. “I am – I’m going to come and host with you, David,” Buttrose replied. “I’m really looking forward to it – I think we’re going to have a lot of fun.” Kruger added: “I’m leaving it in your very capable hands.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Good news folks! While Sonia is away, the incredible <a href="https://twitter.com/ItaButtrose?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ItaButtrose</a> will be taking over the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9Today?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9Today</a> Extra desk with <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidCampbell73?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DavidCampbell73</a>! <a href="https://t.co/yjnRq3MTna">pic.twitter.com/yjnRq3MTna</a> — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow/status/1017201158186680321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2018</a></blockquote> It’s not the first time Buttrose has shown up on a different network. In May, the 76-year-old appeared on Seven's The Morning Show to discuss Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding. Earlier this year, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/04/ita-buttrose-explains-her-sudden-departure-from-studio-10/">Buttrose shocked fans</a> by announcing she was leaving Studio 10 after five years. Explaining her decision, Buttrose said that “there comes a time in your life where you have to decide what else you want to do with your life.” “I’ve got five grandchildren … I want to spend a bit more time with them. I’ve come to an agreement with a publisher to write a couple of books,” she told fellow panellists Sarah Harris, Joe Hildebrand and Denise Drysdale. However, rumours had been swirling for months that Buttorse and Drysdale’s relationship had fractured over an <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/2018/05/denise-drysdale-on-that-brussels-sprout-incident/">incident involving Brussel sprouts</a>, which <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/04/studio-10-feud-denise-drysdale-finally-speaks-out-after-ita-buttrose-farewell/">both parties obliquely referenced</a> in separate interviews after Buttrose left the show.

Ita Buttrose’s surprising new job

Ita Buttrose: “I’m really sad to see James Packer struggling”

Ita Buttrose’s professional relationship with her former boss Kerry Packer began in 1972 when she launched Cleo magazine with the media mogul. She formed a close friendship with Kerry, with his eldest son, James, who was just five years old at the time, regularly playing with Ita’s two children, Kate and Ben – along with James’ younger sister Gretel. Since James’ recent resignation from Crown Resorts for mental health reasons in March, Ita has been understandably deeply concerned. Following his public announcement, the 50-year-old and father of three checked into a psychiatric hospital in the US to seek treatment. <img width="500" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7818656/screen-shot-2018-05-25-at-120344-pm_500x375.jpg" alt="Screen Shot 2018-05-25 At 12.03.44 Pm"/> Speaking exclusively to <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/celeb-news/ita-buttrose-james-packer-48619?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AWW%20may%2025th&utm_term=list_aww_newsletter">The Australian Women’s Weekly</a>, Ita shared, “I just feel very sad for him.” “James is round about the same age as my kids and he learned to swim with my kids and Rob Henkie’s kids, who was Kerry’s cousin. “They all learned to swim together, so I’ve known James since he was a very little boy and I’m really sad to see that he’s struggling at the moment,” the concerned 76-year-old said. Referring to his time in rehab at a Boston clinic, Ita added, “Ros, his mother, was there and I’m sure Gretel, his sister, is somewhere.” Ita also noted, “He seems on very good terms with his former wives [Erica Baxter and Jodhi Meares] and his kids.” <img width="412" height="534" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7818657/screen-shot-2018-05-25-at-120148-pm.png" alt="Screen Shot 2018-05-25 At 12.01.48 Pm"/> Although the magazine and media queen had a very close working relationship with Kerry – and a solid friendship – Ita admits she didn’t know James professionally as they never got the opportunity to work together. “I know [James], but I don’t really know him well because I’d left the company by the time he was in charge,” Ita explained to AWW. “I would see him sometimes at a lunch or I’d run into him somewhere and we’d say ‘g’day’ and have a chat. But as I say, I’ve known him since he was little, and I can see he’s unhappy and it’s sad.”

Mind

“I’m so sorry I did it”: Denise Drysdale opens up about that brussels sprout incident

Denise Drysdale has opened up about the continuing fallout from that brussels sprout incident last Christmas, where she lobbed a few of greens in the direction of fellow Studio 10 co-host at the time, Ita Buttrose. "We were supposed to tape the Christmas song for Studio 10," Denise says in an exclusive interview with <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/ita-buttrose-denise-drysdale-brussel-sprout-47918">The Australian Women's Weekly</a>. "I had to get up at four in the morning to get there because I had to fly down from where I live in Queensland." She adds: "We'd been out at a skating rink to film a segment and then we went to this beautiful pub where they put on a lunch, the full roast turkey and the whole catastrophe. "There we were, singing along with the song – and I had a couple of champagnes. I didn't have to drive. I was in a jovial sort of mood and I threw a brussels sprout at Ita. I lobbed it up and over the table at her and it hit her on the chest." The 69-year-old two-time Gold Logie winner reiterates she meant no disrespect to Ita. "The upshot is that she thought I disrespected her but I didn't and I don't. I am so sorry I did it. If I'd known it was going to cause so much trouble I wouldn't have done it. I just didn't think. But that's me all over. It's nothing that I haven't done before. That's why people like me. They look at me and think, "She's a bit of whacker'. And I am. I'm a bit of a ratbag,” she says. Things between Ita and Denise turned sour when <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/04/ita-buttrose-explains-her-sudden-departure-from-studio-10/">Ita suddenly left Studio 10 last month</a>. <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/04/studio-10-feud-denise-drysdale-finally-speaks-out-after-ita-buttrose-farewell/">Denise was noticeably quiet</a> during Ita’s last show on Studio 10, which she attributed to the emotions stirred by ANZAC Day. However, Denise’s comments on radio once again stirred rumours of a feud between the two. <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/04/ita-buttrose-responds-to-denise-drysdale/">Ita responded</a> the next day with a pointed jab: “If it weren’t for me, Denise wouldn’t have the job at all” The full interview with Denise Drysalde is in the May issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly.

Ita Buttrose responds: “If it weren’t for me, Denise wouldn’t have the job at all”

Departing Studio 10 panellist Ita Buttrose has responded to former co-star <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/04/studio-10-feud-denise-drysdale-finally-speaks-out-after-ita-buttrose-farewell/">Denise Drysdale’s comments on radio yesterday</a> where she seemingly confirmed rumours of a feud between the pair and that she wouldn’t miss Buttrose from the show. When asked about the feud on Zoe Marshall and John Caldwell on KIIS’s Celeb HQ last night, Buttorse responded: “I don’t really want to talk about brussels sprout-gate, but I will, just once: It was not just one sprout, it was a BOWL full. I didn’t throw any sprouts, I was working.” The 76-year-old media veteran added: “This was our Christmas shoot — I was working. That’s all I want to say about it because it’s a long time ago ... I’m over it. I’m sorry Denise feels like that, but there you go. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t have the job at all.” Asked if she found it strange that Drysdale had spoken so candidly about their working relationship just one day after she’d left the show, Buttrose said: “I can’t really comment on Denise’s behaviour and I don’t really want to. I’ve really enjoyed being on Studio 10, and there’s lots of other people there that are part of the team — and that’s about as much as I want to say about anyone’s behaviour.” And while Buttrose might be over speaking about “brussels sprout-gate”, Drysdale called in to Kyle and Jackie O this morning to respond to Buttrose’s comments. “If I’d have known when I threw that ONE brussels sprout in a fit of ratbaggyness ... if I’d have known it was going to get so much publicity, I’d have hurled the turkey,” she told the hosts. But Drysdale conceded that Buttrose’s claims she wouldn’t have a job if not for her were “probably true”. “She was doing five days a week – when she went to two days a week, that’s when I got asked to do the show.” Buttrose’s surprise exit follows <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/2018/03/jessica-rowe-leaves-studio-10-in-shock-decision/">Jessica Rowe’s departure</a> from Studio 10 last month. Overnight, Channel 10 announced <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/04/studio-10-signs-two-new-stars-to-save-show/">entertainment reporter Angela Bishop and comedian Denise Scott will join the show</a> as regular panellists from Monday.

News

Studio 10 signs two new stars to “save” show

Following the high-profile departure of two hosts amid claims of infighting, Studio 10 has signed on two new stars to work alongside Sarah Harris and Joe Hildebrand in the hopes it will be enough to save the show. Channel 10 has called in its showbiz reporter Angela Bishop and Melbourne comic Denise Scott to help save its morning show – which is struggling with ratings – <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/2018/03/jessica-rowe-leaves-studio-10-in-shock-decision/">replacing Jessica Rowe</a>, who left last month, and <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/04/ita-buttrose-explains-her-sudden-departure-from-studio-10/">Ita Buttrose, who departed on Wednesday</a>. <img width="466" height="350" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/82f1821833d0a30e9fabe16586827921?width=650" class="tge-imagecaption_img" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> “I am so excited to join this amazing team,” Bishop said. “I love the idea of mixing the unpredictability of live television with my entertainment reporting from red carpets and hotel rooms around the world. I can’t wait to start.” Scott, who will host the show every fortnight with presenter Denise Drysdale doing the alternate weeks, said: “I’ve always wanted to host a morning television show and now it’s happening at 63.” She added: “As I always say kids, hang on to your dreams. If it doesn’t happen in your 20s, it’ll happen in your 60s.” Drysdale said she’s happy to be sharing the role with Scott. “I’ve known her and her work for years,” Drysdale said. “She’s so funny and I love her — I’m just sorry we won’t be on at the same time.” Drysdale’s comments come after an interview yesterday on breakfast radio, in which she <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/04/studio-10-feud-denise-drysdale-finally-speaks-out-after-ita-buttrose-farewell/">alluded to her feud with Buttrose.</a>

News

Studio 10 feud: Denise Drysdale finally speaks out after Ita Buttrose farewell

Denise Drysdale has finally spoken out after Ita Buttrose’s farewell from Studio 10, addressing rumours of a feud between the pair. Drysdale was noticeably silent as Buttrose’s colleagues Sarah Harris and Joe Hildebrand showered the one-time editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly with praise yesterday, doing little to calm rumours of tension behind the scenes. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FStudio10au%2Fvideos%2F1269512766515965%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> But in an interview on 2DayFM Breakfast with Em, Grant & Ed Drysdale put her silence down to emotions stirred by ANZAC Day. “The show as we know it is not the same any more, with Jess [Rowe] going. Jess and I hit it off really, really well. And now Ita going, well — it’s a different show. You’ve got two totally different people that have gone ... I’m sure we’ll pick up,” Drysdale told Grant Denyer. “That was because of Anzac Day. Having a close association with the Vietnam vets, that feeling gets stronger every year. It really gets me. As you get older, you get more emotional,” she said. Denyer kept prying, asking Drysdale if she was going to miss having her old “sparring partner” at the Studio 10 desk, to which Drysdale said, “No.” Tensions between the two were rumoured to have dramtically escalated last year when Drysdale hurled a Brussels sprout at Buttrose, and Denyer couldn’t miss the oppportuntiy to bring this up. “Oh, bloody hell,” Drysdale sighed. “Oh, I’ve got a big bag of brussels sprouts and nothing to do with them,” “Look, I threw that Brussels sprout because I’d got up at four in the morning to come in and do the Christmas song. And at about four o clock in the afternoon, [after] we’d had a couple of champagnes for lunch, I was feeling ... The Christmas party was that night, so I’d had my party in the afternoon!” Buttrose said goodbye to Studio 10 yesterday after five years in the role, telling viewers she was hoping to spend more time with her grandchildren. What are your thoughts? Image credit: Facebook / Studio 10

News

Ita Buttrose’s sudden exit from Studio 10: “Why I left”

Ita Buttrose departed Studio 10 yesterday after four and a half years on the Channel 10 morning talk show. The sudden news was only announced on Tuesday, just weeks after Buttrose’s co-host <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/2018/03/jessica-rowe-leaves-studio-10-in-shock-decision/">Jessica Rowe stepped down from the panel show</a>, citing the wish to spend more time with her family. Yesterday, the 76-year-old media icon explained on-air why she’s making such a sudden departure. "It was such a shock. It was a shock to hear you’re leaving," said her co-host Sarah Harris during a segment on Studio 10. "There comes a time in your life where you have to decide what else you want to do with your life," said Buttrose. "I've got five grandchildren ... I want to spend a bit more time with them." She added: "I've come to an agreement with a publisher to write a couple of books." <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FStudio10au%2Fvideos%2F1269512766515965%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> Co-hosts Harris and Joe Hildebrand sung the Buttrose’s praises during her last show yesterday, but Denise Drysdale remained noticeably quiet during the discussion. She only spoke when Buttrose joked that Hildebrand’s stubble made him look like George Michael. “He’s dead,” she quipped. “He’s dead? Thank you, Denise,” said Buttrose. The pair’s minimal interaction did very little to squash a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/2018/02/tensions-flare-between-two-studio-10-hosts/">rumoured feud</a>, which made headlines earlier this year and resulted in the exit of the show's executive producer Rob McKnight. In the wake of her departure after the Anzac Day programme, Ten Chief Content Officer, Beverley McGarvey said: "We are very sad to see Ita leave Studio 10. She has been with the show since day one and has been a wonderful member of the team." "Ita is a true legend of the Australian media and a great colleague. Everyone at Studio 10 and Network Ten, as well as her many fans, will miss her but we fully understand and support her decision to step away from the show. She is, of course, welcome to come home to Studio 10 at any time,” she added. As a veteran of Australian media in both publishing and television, Buttrose was one of the original cast members of the morning show. It is beleived that Denise Scott will join Studio 10 appearing every second week alternating with Drysdale.

News

Ita Buttrose’s drug-dealing nephew to walk free from jail

Ita Buttrose’s drug-dealing nephew is set to be released early from Silverwater jail on Saturday after handing over his infamous “little black books” of contacts. <img width="316" height="498" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/13/46920D7400000578-5103963-image-a-51_1511272263768.jpg" alt="The drug-dealer is the nephew of Australian media legend Ita Buttrose (pictured)" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-2b447092b8a541bf"/> Richard Buttrose is the drug-dealer is the nephew of Australian media legend Ita Buttrose. Richard Buttrose, 45, was originally sentenced to 16 years in jail in 2010, after police found over seven kilograms of cocaine (worth a street value of $10.8 million) during a raid on his properties. Police also discovered more than $1.3 million in cash stashed at his Paddington and Darling Point homes. The reduced sentence deal was struck after Buttrose handed his book of contacts to authorities, which included details of his A-list clientele. His sentence was reduced to 12 years and six months with a non-parole period of nine years and six months. The deal to hand over his clients placed his wife and children in danger, the court heard. His family has left the country and Buttrose himself served his sentence in protective custody, the <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/ita-buttroses-nephew-richard-buttrose-to-walk-free-from-jail-after-handing-over-little-black-book/news-story/44dbd5399dbd101ec3fd3c587a79eb60" target="_blank">Daily Telegraph reports.</a> The nephew of the media icon reportedly became known as “The Man” during cocaine dealing days.

Legal

Ita Buttrose criticises "fake" magazine stories

Ita Buttrose has criticised the state of the Australian magazine industry and argued that they have nobody to blame for falling circulation but themselves. The Studio 10 host, who was the founding editor of Cosmopolitan magazine in 1971 and had a legendary stint at the helm of The Australian Women’s Weekly argues the print world has let down readers with conflicting stories about celebs. "They let down the standard of women's media," she told Saturday Extra. "They assume the readers are morons and then blame everyone else for falling circulation. "I'm sorry to see the truth used so carelessly. "The number one rule in journalism is to get the facts correct. If you can’t check facts and verify they’re correct, you don’t publish." Buttrose ultimately said the mags are, "letting readers down". "I hate to bag the magazines because I love them so much. But I would like to see them lift their standards and start printing the truth again. "They might find the public would love them for it." What are your thoughts? Do you think there’s been a decline in the quality of magazines? Image credit: Twitter / Ita Buttrose

Books

Katherine Kelly Lang and Ita Buttrose in “The Bold and Beautiful” spin-off

Emmy-winning actress, Katherine Kelly Lang, who plays Brooke Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful, dropped by morning show Studio 10 yesterday. The soapie-loving presenters soon roped her into starring in a Studio 10 version of the long-running show. The very good sport Katherine played along in the hilarious skit that pokes fun of soapie storylines, the acting, as well as the Studio 10 presenters themselves. Watch the skit above. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2015/12/downton-abbey-christmas-special-trailer/">Watch the new “Downton Abbey” Christmas special trailer here</a> <a href="/entertainment/tv/2015/12/best-tv-shows-to-watch-these-holidays/">5 of the best TV shows to watch these holidays</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/12/desi-arnaz-writes-sweeting-thing-about-lucille-ball/">Desi Arnaz writes sweeting thing about Lucille Ball at the end of his life</a>

News

Ita Buttrose reveals her secret for a happy life

A publishing icon, Australian of The Year in 2013, a media commentator and a host on Channel 10's morning program Studio 10, Ita Buttrose, 72, has also played a pivotal role in raising awareness about health issues, including Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer. So just how does she do it all and remain so elegant and poised? The former editor of The Australian Women's Weekly and founding editor of Cleo talks to Over60 about what she’s most proud of and reveals her tips for ageing well.What are you most proud of achieving to date?Many things – having two gorgeous children (okay I am biased); several career firsts such as creating and being the founding editor of Cleo magazine, the youngest ever editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly and the first woman to edit a major metropolitan daily newspaper in Australia when I was appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Sydney Daily & Sunday Telegraphs – but being named 2013 Australian of the Year was an incredible and humbling honour and something that I will remember for as long as live.Three things you think are essential for ageing happily and healthily?Daily exercise, a diet that includes plenty of fish, green leafy vegetables and fresh fruit and plenty of socialising with family and friendsWhat does the word senior mean to you?I’m still here – living and enjoying life to the fullest.If you could change one thing for seniors in Australia, what would it be?Their attitude to exercise… in order to enjoy their longevity I would like to see all seniors do some form of daily exercise – unless of course their doctor forbids it. Physical exercise is beneficial for the brain and also the body. I think it’s important for older Australians to take responsibility for maintaining their health to the best of their ability.What is something people don’t know about you?If I have managed to lead the very public life that I do without people finding out everything about me then I think I’ll leave things exactly as they are!What can’t you live without?A large cup of English breakfast tea first thing in the morning.

Mind

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Why Ita Buttrose chose to leave the ABC

Ita Buttrose slams Meghan Markle’s drama toward Royal Family

Ita Buttrose threatens to protest lockdown laws

"She's a failure": Ita Buttrose cops direct spray from Michael Kroger

Ita Buttrose says millennials lack resilience and “need hugging”

“We might be biased”: ABC chair Ita Buttrose admits broadcaster lacks diversity

Ita Buttrose’s important message for people with this disease

Ita Buttrose gets defensive as the Today Extra panel discuss her sex life

Ita Buttrose’s surprising new job

Ita Buttrose’s surprising new job

Ita Buttrose: “I’m really sad to see James Packer struggling”

“I’m so sorry I did it”: Denise Drysdale opens up about that brussels sprout incident

Ita Buttrose responds: “If it weren’t for me, Denise wouldn’t have the job at all”

Studio 10 signs two new stars to “save” show

Studio 10 feud: Denise Drysdale finally speaks out after Ita Buttrose farewell

Ita Buttrose’s sudden exit from Studio 10: “Why I left”

Ita Buttrose’s drug-dealing nephew to walk free from jail

Ita Buttrose criticises "fake" magazine stories

Katherine Kelly Lang and Ita Buttrose in “The Bold and Beautiful” spin-off

Ita Buttrose reveals her secret for a happy life

Our Partners