Brooke Boney announced her shock resignation from the Today Show live – and revealed a surprising career move.
The TV presenter, 36, confirmed she will be leaving the Channel Nine breakfast show to pursue her dreams in an emotional announcement on Friday’s show.
Boney has been with the show as a news and entertainment reporter for five years, but is now going abroad to study.
She confirmed on air that she will be going abroad to study at Oxford University from September and will leave the show after the 2024 Paris Olympics in August.
“I have very big news for you this morning. I have been offered a place at Oxford University later this year, which means I will be leaving the show after the Olympics,” Boney said on air on Friday.
Brooke Boney announced her shock resignation from the Today Show live in an emotional announcement Friday morning.
“I don’t want to go into too much detail right now as there will be plenty of time for goodbyes and thank yous, but I just wanted to share this good/bad news with you all this morning.”
Boney will complete an intensive one-year master’s degree course in public policy, focusing on economics and policymaking.
The rising Nine star admitted the decision to leave her role on the program was “very difficult”.
“It was a dream of mine to be able to study at a university abroad, and it was the right time to take this step,” she explained.
“I am so grateful to come here every day and I love you all so much. So that made the decision really difficult. But that just means you’ll all have to plan trips to the UK to come visit me.
Boney was comforted by her co-host Sarah Abo as she became teary-eyed after sharing her big news, admitting she had “mixed emotions” due to her love for her job.
‘Myou are heading is running at the moment. My heart is beating very fast,” she added.
The TV presenter, 36, confirmed she would be leaving the Channel Nine breakfast show to pursue her dreams in an emotional announcement on Friday’s show, breaking down in tears.
Boney has been a news and entertainment reporter for the show for five years, but is now heading off to study abroad at the prestigious Oxford University in a huge career move.
Karl Stefanovic also shared his pride by rejoicing at his immense success in landing a place at the prestigious red brick university.
He said: “It’s a big deal to break up with something as safe as this, and that’s to follow your dreams. Taking this step, taking it, shows your personality and says everything about you.
“The good news is you can find my daughter to record me,” Stefanovic also joked about his daughter Willow, 18, who studies at the London College of Fashion.
However, Boney reassured fans that she will still feature on screens for a few more months as she covers the 2024 Olympics live from Paris.
“We are going to have a wonderful time in Paris,” she said.
Boney will take an intensive master’s in public policy course, which will equip students to tackle some of the most complex public policy challenges of this century.
Boney (pictured in November) reassured fans that she will still be on screen for a few more months as she covers the 2024 Olympics live from Paris.
Boney first joined the Channel Nine show as an entertainment reporter, replacing long-serving editor Richard Wilkins, before being promoted to newsreader last year.
According to the course prospectus, the program focuses on modules in economics, public policy, law and policy-making.
“This is a transformational opportunity for current and future leaders engaged in public service,” the course description adds.
Talk to NineBoney described her work on the Today Show as a “privilege” and said that “never in her wildest dreams” did she think she would appear on the programme.
Despite her big change, she hasn’t ruled out a return to television in the future and says she hopes her studies will help her decide what to do next in her career.
“I thought if I don’t do this now, I probably never will. I’m at that age where if I leave now, go study and come back, I’ll still only be 38,” she said.
“That still leaves a lot of time to define the rest of my career.”
Despite her big change, she hasn’t ruled out a return to television in the future and says she hopes her studies will help her decide what to do next in her career.
“I would love to be able to come back and continue to do things with Nine and find out what that’s like.”
Steven Burling, Nine’s director of morning television, said of Boney’s departure: “We couldn’t be more proud of Brooke as she embarks on this challenge at the end of the year. She inspires us all as she chases her dreams, wherever they take us.’
Boney began her television career as a political correspondent for SBS before joining NITV, then she joined the Today Show in 2019.
She initially joined the Channel Nine show as an entertainment reporter replacing long-serving editor Richard Wilkins, who joined Today Extra.
Boney has won acclaim during her career as a TV presenter and even hosted the 2023 ARIA Awards last year.
She said at the time: “I’m really delighted to be joining the team and very excited to be working alongside Richard Wilkins. He’s a true legend in the industry.
“It’s such an exciting time to join Nine and I can’t wait to learn from everyone in the Today team.
“As a young girl growing up in the country, I watched Today so it’s really great to know that this will be my new home.”
Last year, Boney was then promoted to newsreader, taking over from Alex Cullen, who focused solely on sports.