Axed weatherman's blunt farewell message live on-air
Weatherman Paul Burt has lashed out at Channel 7 in an awkward final report after he was axed by the network.
The veteran weatherman was recently cut by Seven after almost three decades in the industry as part of a cost-cutting move, and he took aim at the network in his final sign off on Saturday.
“Hello everybody yes it is my last weather for the network tonight,” he began.
“Let’s get straight into it everyone because it’s the most important thing is your Sunday and not me.”
He then detailed the weather outlook before presenter Samantha Heathwood farewelled him.
Burt then thanked viewers for their "trust, loyalty, and support" and thanked his family before unleashing on the network.
“If I’d had the opportunity I wouldn’t have wanted to go this way,” Burt said. “It’s what happens when you get sacked”.
The network then cut to footage for Burt, who has been at Seven since 2013, presenting various segments over the years, including him delivering the weather from a helicopter during floods.
In an interview with The Australian, Burt revealed that he had only been given “55 seconds to say my goodbyes”.
“I really don’t understand it, why people are being treated this way,” Burt said.
“It was a shock, I was told to come in and have a meeting which I did and I was told my contract was not being renewed. It was rather embarrassing for my wife and children. They found out before I could even tell them. Obviously things get leaked.
“Some of the decisions made lately are quite harsh. I’ve lost a lot of friends who have been made redundant or got the sack.”
Burt wasn't the only one made redundant in the network's cost-cutting move. Veterans including Robert Ovadia, Sharyn Ghidella, Andrew Frampton and seasoned Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud have all gone.
Images: Channel 7