Studio 10 axed: Scandal erupts at Channel Ten as it’s revealed two hosts knew the show was being axed months before other staff – and already had other jobs lined up

EXCLUSIVE

Very few people knew that Studio 10 would not return in 2024 before it was announced on Tuesday.

But Daily Mail Australia can confirm that the breakfast show’s co-hosts, Tristan MacManus and Angela Bishop, were told months ago that the show would be axed.

A Channel Ten insider has revealed that MacManus, 41, was quietly informed earlier this year before it was even made official.

After learning he would lose his gig, MacManus’ team began working overtime to get him other opportunities on one of Network 10’s 2024 programs.

‘He was flown in for a screen test with I’m A Celebrity presenter Julia Morris to see Dr. Chris Brown, but the audition was a huge failure,” the source said.

‘There was no chemistry whatsoever with Julia and he was clearly out of sorts trying to keep up with her trademark crazy antics.’

He also missed out on a presenting role on Gladiators and ‘had no cooking experience for Ready Steady Cook or on MasterChef Australia’.

“It was a crazy battle and the network was hoping to find a new place for him somewhere. Because there was no doubt that Network Ten still favored him,” the insider added.

‘Nothing was locked in, leaving everyone worried he would join a long list of former Studio 10 presenters and many TV executives who feel they have been cursed by the brand.’

Sarah Harris had “really helped MacManus shine,” but ultimately left Studio 10 because she knew the show would eventually be canceled.

“The show desperately needed a star, but no one wanted to touch the brand. After ten years, the show is officially ending and it’s a sad day for everyone who worked on the once popular breakfast show,” the insider said.

Meanwhile, Bishop also knew the show was coming to an end earlier this year, and is said to have already booked a new gig with the network.

A Channel Ten insider told Daily Mail Australia that Tristan MacManus was quietly told earlier this year that the show was coming to an end in 2024 before it was even official

A spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that the final episode of Studio 10 will air on Friday, December 22, after more than a decade on Australian screens.

“Network 10 has announced that the final episode of Studio 10 will air on Friday, December 22, after more than a decade on Australian screens,” they said.

‘Studio 10 has made a great contribution to Network 10’s line-up of daytime programmes. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has participated in and supported the program over the past ten years, and to the millions of viewers who have watched during that time.

“It has been a show that has provided a lot of feel-good fun, joy, passion, passion, entertainment and unforgettable moments, all against the backdrop of live television.

‘Although we are sad to say goodbye to the programme, the decision to stop production of Studio 10 comes after a change in daytime television viewing habits. In 2024 there will be a new morning lineup with a greater focus on news and current affairs later in the day.

‘Studio 10’s presenters – Angela Bishop, Narelda Jacobs and Tristan MacManus, with special roving reporter Daniel Doody – will remain with the network in various roles and many of the staff will be redeployed.’

After learning he would lose his gig, MacManus’ team began working overtime to get him other opportunities on one of Network 10’s 2024 programs.

Hosts Bishop, Narelda Jacobs and MacManus, as well as special roving reporter Daniel Doody, will remain with the network and will be deployed in various roles.

Bishop and McManus admitted in an emotional Instagram video that it had been a “tough day” when the news broke.

“It’s a tough day for the entire Studio 10 family as we have loved bringing you the show for the past decade,” Bishop said.

“We are all very proud to be part of it. In closing, I’m going to squeeze out a quote: ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.’

Sitting next to Bishop as she put on a brave face, MacManus added: “We absolutely love it. We loved spending every morning with you.

‘It’s been really great. Sometimes tough, but always worth it. And we always laughed. We have always enjoyed spending our mornings with you.”

Studio 10 has become one of the lowest-rated daytime programs in Australian TV history, lagging far behind rival programs on Seven, Nine and ABC.

The controversial program has swept through tens of thousands of viewers over the past year, leaving industry spies repeatedly wondering how long it would stay on the air.

In April, the show’s ratings plummeted to the lowest in its ten-year history, with a shocking average of just 10,000 viewers in the five-city metro.

A spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that the final episode of Studio 10 will air on Friday, December 22, after more than a decade on Australian screens. (L-R: Studio 10 panelists Sarah Harris, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Joe Hildebrand, Angela Bishop)