The scandal surrounding Channel Nine star Alex Cullen over a $50,000 gift from billionaire Adrian Portelli has taken another dramatic turn as Portelli claims the money was intended for charity.
In an effort to shed his “Lambo Man” nickname, Portelli offered the $50,000 cash prize to the first member of the TV media to use his new favorite nickname “McLaren Man.”
When Cullen, 44, used the name live on the Today show, Portelli posted what appeared to be a bank transfer of the amount to the sports presenter.
Nine immediately suspended Cullen – who has not appeared on air since – and announced an investigation into the payment that was said to have been refunded.
But Portelli claimed on Tuesday that Cullen intended the money to be paid to charity all along and posted details of payments of $25,000 each made on his behalf to the Salvation Army and the RSPCA.
“Alex Cullen… on your behalf mate, $25,000 to the Salvation Army and $25,000 to the RSPCA,” Portelli wrote on Instagram.
'I've kept pretty quiet about what happened to Alex, but before he even heard from Ch9, we had a conversation where he expressed his desire to donate the money.
'That speaks volumes about his character. Alex, you are an absolute gentleman.
Nine's Alex Cullen is getting a lot of support from fans after being suspended
Channel Nine is investigating the payment and Cullen agreed to resign after the ill-advised on-air stunt (Adrian Portelli is pictured)
'If Ch9 lets you go (although I really hope they don't!), I would love to work with you on something. Real class, mate!'
Max Markson, who has been a leading PR agent for 50 years, said that while it was “not normal” behavior for a presenter to accept cash to say something that was not part of his/her stated sponsorship, he believed Cullen was clearly joking.
Mr. Markson pointed out that Today host Karl Stefanovic was in on the joke, and grinned that Cullen was right in saying “McClaren Guy” and that he could split the $50,000 with him.
“I'm sure they didn't think they were going to get the $50,000 but then they got it and unfortunately Alex has been suspended for the time being, which is crazy,” Markson told Daily Mail Australia on Monday.
“Obviously he shouldn't have taken the $50,000, but he gave it back. I don't think that's why they did it. They did it as a joke, of course.”
Mr Markson suggested Cullen may have been the victim of unfortunate timing.
“It happened on Friday and he (Cullen) probably got the money late Friday night,” he said.
“If he knew it was coming, he probably would have given it to charity. I didn't think he would have put the money in his pocket.”
Legendary publicist Max Markson (pictured left with American actor Charlie Sheen) said Cullen was clearly joking and expected to receive payment
Nine insiders told Daily Mail Australia that the stunt could have been beneficial to the network and Portelli, had Cullen informed the promoter that as a journalist he could not accept any payment for making the comment on air.
“What Alex should have done is refused to take any money and told Portelli to donate it directly to charity – if he wanted to get involved in the stunt at all,” a network insider told Daily Mail Australia.
However, Mr Markson did not think this would do lasting damage to Cullen's TV career.
“Alex will be back on the air within a week, within a few days I thought,” he said.
'It's not a big deal, it was a joke. It wasn't just him, but Stefanovic was clearly joking as well.'
Mr Markson said Portelli, who was dubbed 'Mr Lambo' in 2022 after appearing in a yellow Lamborghini to bid on houses renovated on Nine's show The Block, received huge attention for this latest stunt, including the front page of a Sydney newspaper.
“I think he has a great publicist, it's not me, but he has a great publicist,” Markson said. “I know him.”
Although Mr Markson thought Portelli was really tired of his Lambo nickname, he had found a good angle to get more publicity out of it.
Cullen's latest Instagram post is a selfie of himself giving a thumbs up outside Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena
“If you're doing well and you have enough attention, you keep marketing it and keep pushing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cullen is receiving a lot of support from fans on social media.
His latest Instagram post is a selfie of him giving a thumbs up outside Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena, where the Australian Open is being held, with the simple caption 'let's go'.
“You are the best host, and without you that show is nothing,” the first comment reads.
'Such a humble, sweet personality for morning television. I'm sorry mate, I hope you're doing well x.”
“I feel so sorry for you,” someone else wrote.
'Just to be clear, I don't watch Chanel 9 anymore. I hope something better comes from this, you're amazing, what a load of BS from Channel 9.'
“No way,” said another.
'I can't believe they let you down. I really like your injection into the show, you were a breath of fresh air. If they fire you, I will definitely vote with my feet.”
