ABC News Breakfast star Michael Rowland hints at leaving over ‘mental health burden’ of work: ‘It never gets easier’
Michael Rowland has hinted at a departure from ABC News Breakfast due to the personal toll the role has taken.
In conversation with fellow ABC alumnus and former News Breakfast co-host Virginia Trioli on her podcast You don’t know meMichael indicated that he was looking for a “less intense” role.
“I’m getting older, this year I reached the blessed age of 55,” he said.
‘The toll it takes is greater every year: the hours we spend as journalists presenting a news program, the terrible stories we have to report.’
Michael added: ‘I find it has more of an impact on me personally and on my family life. I’m looking forward to something a little less intense.’
While the host admitted he had not yet begun formal discussions with ABC management about an exit strategy for the show he “loves,” he added that he felt like he was “closer to the end than the beginning.”
“I hasten to say that I love the show. I’m not going to rush into anything,” Michael continued.
‘I really love what I’m doing now, but I’m much closer to the end than I was to the beginning of this show and this intense work as a news presenter.
Michael Rowland (pictured) has hinted at a departure from ABC News Breakfast due to the personal toll the role has taken
Michael continues: ‘But I’m mostly looking forward to getting involved sometime in the near future and doing something different.’
He added that the disturbing nature of some of the stories featured on the show, which are presented at what he calls “the wall of doom,” has had a negative effect on his mental health.
“It never gets easier,” he said.
“We talked about a pretty harrowing domestic violence case on the show this morning, and that kind of thing gets to me too. I get emotional. I’m sorry,”
Speaking to fellow ABC alumnus and former News Breakfast co-host Virginia Trioli on her podcast You Don’t Know Me, Michael revealed he was looking for a “less intense” role. Pictured with ABC News Breakfast co-host Bridget Brennan
Michael took over as host of ABC News Breakfast in 2010, replacing Joe O’Brien.
Michael is currently a guest on ABC with co-host Bridget Brennan. Prior to taking on this role, he was ABC’s Washington correspondent for four years.
Michael’s confession comes after ABC News Breakfast weatherman Nate Byrne had to interrupt his report mid-broadcast in August after suffering a panic attack while live on the radio.
Nate ended his broadcast just before 6:30, telling viewers, “I have to stop for a moment.”
In a trembling voice, he told viewers: ‘Some of you may know that I suffer from panic attacks from time to time, and I am having that now.’
Nate appeared on the Carrie and Tommy Hit Network show after the episode and revealed that his panic attack was caused by standing in front of the “weather wall.”
“It’s very, very different for me and luckily for me it’s only when I’m in that one place, which should be my safest place,” he admitted.
“It’s my favorite place in the world to be at the weather wall and do my thing. But [it only happens] when I’m in front of the camera.’
Michael took over as host of ABC News Breakfast in 2010, replacing Joe O’Brien. Pictured with former co-host Lisa Millar
