Channel Nine’s Darren Wick is leaving the network

Channel Nine’s new director Darren Wick has left the network.

He wrote an email to staff on Friday revealing he would be quitting his job.

“I am resigning as National Director of News and Current Affairs and leaving NINE,” he wrote.

“This is my 13th year in that role and my 29th year with the Network.

“Some of you know that I took a few weeks off to think about my future. And after many long walks on the beach and even longer conversations, I know deep down that this is the right time for me to step down and leave NINE.

“I don’t want to use the word ‘retire’ because I don’t know how to sit still. But I’m going to take a very long break from the forty years I’ve worked as a journalist. I’m tired and need some rest.’

Nine’s programming boss Michael Healey paid tribute to Wick for his work at the network.

“I would like to personally thank Wickie for his commitment to the Nine News brand and wish him well,” he said.

The announcement came less than a week after Nine said Wick would return to his role after a short break.

In 2021, Wick escaped from prison after being caught driving more than four times the legal limit.

Wick wrote an email to staff on Friday revealing he would be quitting his job

He blamed a combination of stress from his high-pressure job and a double hip replacement for his excessive drinking.

Wick’s lawyer told Hornsby Local Court that his client was effectively working 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

He received an intensive correction order for nine months, a driving disqualification for nine months and a community service order of 100 hours.

Wick, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving at high speed, said he arrived at court expecting to be sent to prison.

“I’m in a position where I know better and should have known better,” he said after the hearing.

‘But the bottom line is that I let an alcohol addiction get out of hand. I didn’t respect it for what it was.

“I made a terrible mistake that could have hurt others.”

In an email sent to staff just days after he was arrested, Wick admitted he was seeking help for his alcoholism.

“Unfortunately, in a moment of unacceptable madness, I failed you,” Wick wrote.

‘Last Friday evening I stupidly got behind the wheel of my car drunk and tried to drive home. I was stopped by the police in Willoughby and tested positive for drink driving, more than four times the legal limit.

‘There was no rational reason for me to do this. And I’ve replayed the events over and over again in my head over the past few days. What made me snap?

“The answer is that I have to face the reality that I have an alcohol addiction that has been difficult for me to control for some time.”

The email stated that Wick planned to continue in his role but may spend more time away from the office.

He urged his colleagues, who may also be struggling with alcohol addiction, to seek support.

‘I want to make this right. If any of you are considering making the same decision I did, don’t. Don’t take any chances and if you think you have a problem, get help,” Wick wrote.