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"Three months to live": Channel 10 star shares emotional battle with incurable cancer

<p>Channel 10 presenter Barry Du Bois has opened up in a raw and heartbreaking letter about his ongoing battle with cancer, revealing the devastating moment he was told he had just months to live.</p> <p>In a deeply personal essay for <a href="https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/channel-10-star-barry-du-bois-reveals-harrowing-moment-he-was-given-three-months-to-live/news-story/20a2e0a910358c1861d2c4d23c8cd617" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Gold Coast Bulletin</a>, the father of two recalled the chilling day a doctor delivered a prognosis that shattered his world: “I had three months to live.”</p> <p>“I was sitting in a cold, unfamiliar consult room at the hospital, my wife’s hand holding mine … then a doctor who had known me for only a few hours looked me in the eye and told me I had three months to live,” Du Bois wrote.</p> <p>Du Bois was first diagnosed in 2010 with solitary plasmacytoma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. While he survived that initial battle, the disease returned in 2017 – this time as multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer that attacks the immune system and bone marrow.</p> <p>Since then, the 63-year-old <em>Living Room</em> star has fought on, defying the odds with remarkable strength and grace. But as he revealed in the letter, his path has been anything but easy.</p> <p>His strength, he said, was forged through years of pain: breaking his back in a 14-metre fall, a gruelling and heartbreaking IVF journey with his wife Leonie that ended in miscarriage, and her own cervical cancer diagnosis just weeks later.</p> <p>“When I got my diagnosis – incurable cancer, three months to live – I didn’t fall apart,” he wrote. “I knew that from leaning into the previous adversities of life I had the resilience to give the fight of my life.”</p> <p>Still, Du Bois admitted there was a time he came perilously close to giving up. After Leonie’s miscarriage and illness, the darkness nearly swallowed him. “I avoided conversation and started a continual negative conversation with myself that took me into the darkness … depression is a lonely state and I refused to share my pain. I saw it as a weakness.”</p> <p>In the end, it was his family that pulled him back and helped him find purpose again. Since then, Du Bois has become a powerful voice for others fighting chronic illness and mental health struggles, using his platform to share candid updates on life, treatment and the importance of hope.</p> <p>“I was overwhelmed with fear, uncertainty and the unknown,” he said of that early diagnosis. “But through it all, I realised something that I feel is why I am here today: It wasn’t going to be cancer that defined me but the way I choose to approach it.”</p> <p>From his early TV days on <em>The Renovators</em> in 2011 to his long-running role on <em>The Living Room</em> alongside Amanda Keller, Miguel Maestre and Dr Chris Brown, Du Bois has become a familiar and much-loved face on Australian screens. But behind the smiles and strength lies a story of extraordinary pain and courage.</p> <p>His fight continues. And so too does his mission: to live fully, love deeply, and face each day not with fear, but with determination.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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"Bloodbath": Mass defection at Channel 7 as top reporters jump ship

<p>Channel 7 is facing a growing crisis, with three of its prominent journalists abruptly resigning to join rival Network 10 in what’s being dubbed a “bloodbath” in the newsroom.</p> <p>Senior 7News Sydney reporter Bill Hogan, seasoned foreign correspondent Amelia Brace, and Denham Hitchcock – a key figure in the network’s flagship current affairs show <em>Spotlight</em> – have all defected, according to <em>The Australian</em>. The trio will join a new long-form investigative unit at Network 10, led by head of broadcast news Martin White.</p> <p>Brace and Hitchcock reportedly began their new roles on Monday, leaving Seven’s Martin Place offices just hours after resigning. Hogan is expected to follow suit after completing a three-week notice period.</p> <p>Network 10, owned by US media giant Paramount since 2017, is bolstering its news division with a renewed focus on in-depth investigative reporting. The initiative is seen as an effort to compete with established programs such as the ABC’s <em>Four Corners</em>, Nine’s <em>60 Minutes</em> and Channel 7’s own <em>Spotlight</em>.</p> <p>Brace, whose new role comes with a reported $270,000 salary – a $50,000 jump from her Seven pay – bid farewell to colleagues last Friday with a candid message.</p> <p>“It feels off to not have an official ‘last day’ to say goodbye,” she said, “but it’s best for me to just fade away for now. Stand up for yourselves, and each other… and think of me every time you have to find a f**king case study.”</p> <p>Hitchcock’s move adds another layer of drama. Having returned to <em>Spotlight</em> in February after a sabbatical spent sailing with his family, he now departs again – this time for what he calls a full-circle moment. His father once worked at Channel 10, and Hitchcock shared his enthusiasm in a social media post.</p> <p>“Well, here we go. I’ve switched channels,” he wrote. “But also in a way – I’ve come full circle. I grew up watching my father on Channel 10 News every night. I had a bunk bed with Eyewitness News stickers all over it – and can still sing the theme song.”</p> <p>As the talent exodus accelerates, questions are mounting about the future of Seven’s news strategy – and whether the network can stem the flow of high-profile losses.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram, Network 10</em></p>

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From tragedy to joy: Channel 9 star shares baby news

<p>In a beautiful announcement that has touched hearts across the country, 9News Perth presenter Tracy Vo has shared the joyful news that she and husband Liam Connolly are expecting a baby girl – their rainbow baby – due on October 7.</p> <p>The couple’s exciting news comes just months after they experienced the devastating loss of their son, James, when Vo was five months pregnant in 2024. Now, the couple is embracing hope and healing with the anticipation of a new chapter in their lives.</p> <p>“We had some extra baggage during our Vietnam adventure,” Vo shared on Instagram, accompanied by a radiant photo. “Our rainbow baby is due in Spring 🌈 We can’t wait to meet our baby girl and Sophia is excited to be a big sister. We know our boy James is looking after his little sister already 🤍.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKQjHGYTHqE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKQjHGYTHqE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tracy Vo (@tracy_vo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The due date carries a special significance – October 7 marks Tracy and Liam’s second wedding anniversary. “We were like, ‘Oh, well, it’s meant to be!’” she <a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/parenting/irena-gilbert-pregnancy-after-loss-no-one-tells-you-experience-rainbow-baby-anxiety-regret/6a00d6cd-32a8-47fd-82ff-9c414a1bfe47" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told 9News</a>.</p> <p>Vo, 41, opened up about the complex emotions that come with expecting after loss, describing their journey as “cautiously excited”. She and Liam waited until 21 weeks to share the news with loved ones, choosing to keep it close as they processed both hope and anxiety.</p> <p>“I think as the months go on it becomes more real and a step closer to having our little girl in our arms,” she said. “We’re just counting down those weeks.”</p> <p>Tracy says the experience has brought her and Liam even closer, strengthening their marriage through shared grief, healing and unwavering support.</p> <p>“I’m very grateful that Liam was a huge support,” she said. “We also had a great support network as well – our family, our friends.”</p> <p>The couple gently shared the happy news with Connolly’s six-year-old daughter, Sophia, by giving her a teddy bear that revealed the baby’s gender. Now eagerly preparing to be a big sister, Sophia is joining the family in their excitement.</p> <p>As for pregnancy cravings? “Cookies and ice cream,” Tracy revealed. “And then oranges. I’m just loving oranges. I could just eat oranges all day!”</p> <p>Vo hopes their story brings comfort and encouragement to others who have experienced pregnancy loss. Since sharing her journey, she has received messages from people with similar stories – all bound by strength.</p> <p>“Hopefully it just spreads the hope and the love for people out there,” Vo said.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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The Project in peril as Channel Ten plots bold news overhaul

<p>Speculation is mounting over the future of Channel Ten’s flagship current affairs program <em>The Project</em>, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14748609/Brutal-sign-Project-canned-Channel-10.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">with reports suggesting</a> the long-running panel show may be on the chopping block amid a broader shakeup at the network.</p> <p>According to <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/the-project-under-review-as-ten-plans-to-announce-new-show/news-story/280ab62724d67c2eed16bb04cafc3e97" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Australian</a>, <em>The Project</em> is “100 per cent” under review as Ten’s current affairs division undergoes scrutiny in response to dwindling ratings. The show, which first aired in 2009, is reportedly struggling to connect with audiences across key demographics.</p> <p>“<em>The Project</em> is a bit too old and irritating for younger viewers online… and a bit too young and irritating for older viewers on television,” the outlet reported, summarising the show’s struggle to appeal to either end of the age spectrum.</p> <p>Recent ratings appear to reflect this disconnect. Over the past week, <em>The Project</em> failed to break into the top ten most-watched programs, with Tuesday night’s episode recording its highest audience at 945,000 viewers. Friday’s episode fared worst, drawing just 626,000 viewers. In contrast, rival bulletins from Seven and Nine consistently drew more than 2 million viewers during the same 6pm timeslot.</p> <p>The program’s declining viewership comes amid broader criticism of its perceived political slant and the fallout from the departures of several high-profile hosts, including Carrie Bickmore, Peter Helliar and Lisa Wilkinson. Despite a relaunch in 2023 featuring Sarah Harris, Sam Taunton, Michael Hing and Waleed Aly, the shakeup has yet to reverse the trend. Michael Hing’s departure earlier this year marked another shift in the panel’s makeup.</p> <p>Adding to the uncertainty, Daily Mail Australia <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14509357/Channel-Ten-cancels-Project.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported earlier this year</a> that Channel Ten executives were eyeing a new "news magazine show" to rival established programs like Nine's <em>60 Minutes</em>, Seven's <em>Spotlight</em>, and the ABC's <em>Four Corners</em>.</p> <p>A “crack team” of producers – referred to internally as the “investigations unit” – is reportedly being assembled to lead this new venture. Dan Sutton, a seasoned Channel Ten reporter, is tipped to serve as the executive producer, with screen testing currently underway for potential reporters.</p> <p>Network Ten confirmed the formation of the investigative unit in a statement to Daily Mail Australia, saying: “Following the continued growth and success of our news brand, 10 News, we are investing in a 10 News investigative unit that will work on long-form investigative stories as part of our news offering across all our platforms.”</p> <p>When pressed about the future of <em>The Project</em>, however, a network spokesperson maintained that there were “no changes” currently planned. "The Project remains an integral part of our content line-up and rest assured, it’s not going anywhere," they reiterated, echoing a similar statement made in July of last year.</p> <p>The show has also been experimenting with new distribution strategies, including the decision earlier this year to upload full episodes to YouTube in a bid to capture younger audiences. Segments from the show continue to be shared widely across social media platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).</p> <p>One glimmer of hope for the embattled program came last Tuesday, when former host Carrie Bickmore made a brief return to the panel to celebrate the tenth anniversary of her charity, Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer. The special appearance helped boost ratings to 945,000 viewers – the highest for the week.</p> <p>Despite the network’s reassurances, the combination of faltering ratings, a changing panel and mounting speculation over a new investigative format suggests that <em>The Project</em> could be heading into uncertain territory.</p> <p>Whether it can reestablish its place in the Australian television landscape – or be quietly phased out – remains to be seen.</p> <p><em>Image: Channel Ten / The Project</em></p>

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Seven things to eat or avoid to lower your blood pressure

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>High blood pressure is called the <em>silent killer</em>. That’s because it has <a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/SymptomsDiagnosisMonitoringofHighBloodPressure/What-are-the-Symptoms-of-High-Blood-Pressure_UCM_301871_Article.jsp#.V7OWWI9OI2w">no symptoms</a>. Having high blood pressure (hypertension) increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.</p> <p>Six million Australian adults (34%) have high blood pressure – 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) or more – or take medications for it. Of those, <a href="https://heartfoundation.org.au/images/uploads/publications/PRO-167_Hypertension-guideline-2016_WEB.pdf">four million have high blood pressure that isn’t treated or under control</a>.</p> <p>No wonder heart disease and stroke directly cost the Australian economy <a href="http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129546379">A$7.7 billion a year</a>.</p> <p>There is some good news. High blood pressure can be treated or prevented. Eating oats, fruit and vegetables – and beetroot, in particular – helps. So does avoiding salt, liquorice, caffeine and alcohol.</p> <p>Optimal blood pressure is <a href="https://theconversation.com/blood-pressure-targets-what-does-the-new-guideline-say-and-how-low-should-you-go-62684">120 mmHg or less</a> over 80 mmHg or less. Lowering it by 1-2 mmHg can have a big impact on reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke, and the nation’s health care costs.</p> <h2>What to eat to lower your blood pressure</h2> <p><strong>Rolled oats</strong></p> <p>A <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25668347">review with five research trials included</a> tested the impact of oats on systolic blood pressure (the first blood pressure number, which is the pressure at which the heart pumps blood) and diastolic blood pressure (the second number, which is when the heart relaxes) in about 400 healthy adults.</p> <p>The researchers found that systolic blood pressure was 2.7  mmHg lower and diastolic blood pressure was 1.5 mmHg lower when participants ate around 60 grams of rolled oats (a packed half-cup raw oats) or 25 grams of oat bran per day.</p> <p>This quantity of oats or oat bran contains around four grams of a type of fibre called <a href="http://www.healthline.com/health/beta-glucan-heart-healthy">beta-glucan</a>.</p> <p>For each extra one gram of total daily fibre, there was an extra 0.11 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure.</p> <figure class="align-right "><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p>Recommended <a href="https://www.nrv.gov.au/nutrients/dietary-fibre">minimum daily adult fibre intakes</a> are 30 grams for men and 25 grams for women.</p> <p>While some of fibre’s effect is due to weight loss, soluble fibres produce bioactive products when they’re fermented in the large bowel. These work directly to lower blood pressure.</p> <p>To improve your blood pressure, eat rolled oats or oat bran for breakfast, add to meat patties, or mix with breadcrumbs in recipes that call for crumbing.</p> <p><strong>Beetroot</strong></p> <p>Beetroot is extremely rich in a compound called inorganic nitrate. During digestion, this gets converted into nitric oxide, which causes arteries to dilate. This directly lowers the pressure in them.</p> <p>A <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23596162">review of 16 trials</a> of mostly healthy young men found drinking beetroot juice was associated with a 4.4 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure. But it found no change in diastolic blood pressure.</p> <p>However a recent <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25421976">trial in 68 adults</a> who already had high blood pressure found beetroot juice reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure.</p> <figure class="align-right "><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p>The men were randomly assigned to drink 250ml (one cup) of beetroot juice daily for four weeks or a non-active placebo.</p> <p>Blood pressure in the men who drank the beetroot juice reduced over 24 hours, with systolic blood pressure 7.7 mmHg lower and diastolic blood pressure 5.2 mmHg lower.</p> <p>Try wrapping whole fresh beetroot in foil and baking in the oven until soft, or grate beetroot and stir-fry with red onion and curry paste and eat as a relish.</p> <p><strong>Vitamin C</strong></p> <p>Vitamin C, or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_C">ascorbic acid</a>, is found in fresh vegetables and fruit. An average serve contains 10-40mg of vitamin C.</p> <p>In a review of 29 short-term <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22492364">trials of vitamin C supplements</a>, people were given 500 mg of vitamin C per day for about eight weeks.</p> <p>Blood pressure significantly improved, with an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 3.84 mmHg and 1.48 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure.</p> <figure class="align-right "><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p>When only those with existing high blood pressure were considered, the drop in systolic blood pressure was 4.85 mmHg.</p> <p>However, those <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26463139">at risk of kidney stones</a> need to be cautious about taking vitamin C supplements. Excess vitamin C is excreted via the kidneys and can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.</p> <p>One advantage of getting more vitamin C from eating more vegetables and fruit is that you boost your potassium intake, which helps <a href="http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/microsites/salt/Home/Whypotassiumhelps">counter the effects of sodium</a> from salt.</p> <h2>What to avoid to lower your blood pressure</h2> <p><strong>Salt</strong></p> <p>Salt or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt">sodium chloride</a> has been used to preserve foods and as a flavour enhancer for centuries.</p> <p>High salt intakes are <a href="http://www.bmj.com/content/312/7041/1249?ijkey=cd4b7840cc559055a2997d90100361217218f6e8&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha">associated with higher blood pressure</a>.</p> <figure class="align-right "><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p>Adults <a href="https://www.nrv.gov.au/nutrients/sodium">need between 1.2 to 2.4g of salt each day</a> (one-quarter to a half teaspoon), which is equivalent to 460 to 920mg of sodium.</p> <p>But in Australia seven out of ten men and three in ten women eat way more than that – and much more than the upper recommended limit of 5.9 grams of salt (about one teaspoon) or <a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/4364.0.55.008%7E2011-12%7EMain%20Features%7ESodium%7E403">2,300 mg of sodium per day</a>.</p> <p>If you add salt to food yourself this pushes your sodium intake even higher.</p> <p>A <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23558162">review of studies</a> involving 3,230 people showed that reducing salt intakes by 4.4 grams a day could reduce systolic blood pressure by about 4.2 mmHg and diastolic by 2.1 mmHg.</p> <p>In those who had high blood pressure there were even bigger reductions of 5.4 mmHg (systolic) and 2.8 mmHg (diastolic).</p> <p>Avoid foods high in sodium. Don’t add salt and try to choose lower-salt versions of processed foods.</p> <p><strong>Alcohol</strong></p> <p>Consuming one or more alcoholic drink a day is <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15752957">associated with systolic blood pressure</a> that is about 2.7 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure 1.4 mmHg higher than non-drinkers.</p> <p>Interestingly, when you first drink an alcoholic beverage, blood pressure goes down, only to rise later.</p> <figure class="align-right "><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p>A rise in blood pressure after drinking alcohol is <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26123682">more likely to happen when you’re awake</a>, rather during sleep.</p> <p>The bad news is that larger amounts of alcohol increase your risk of high blood pressure, <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23126352">especially in men</a>, but also to a lesser extent <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19804464">in women</a>.</p> <p><strong>Liquorice</strong></p> <p>High blood pressure due to eating black liquorice is rare, but <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26380428">case reports have occurred</a>.</p> <p>Most liquorice candy sold currently contains very little true liquorice root and therefore, little <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycyrrhizin">glycyrrhizic acid</a> (GZA), the active ingredient.</p> <figure class="align-right "><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p>Occasionally, liquorice candy does contain GZA in large amounts. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10944880">GZA causes sodium retention and potassium loss</a>, which contributes to high blood pressure.</p> <p>So check liquorice food labels. Take care <em>if</em> it contains liquorice root.</p> <p><strong>Caffeine</strong></p> <p>Caffeine is most commonly consumed in coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks.</p> <p>High intakes of caffeine from coffee <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21880846">increase blood pressure</a> in the short term.</p> <figure class="align-right "><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p>In a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21880846">review of five trials</a>, people given one to two cups of strong coffee had an increase in their systolic blood pressure of 8.1 mmHg and 5.7 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure, up to about three hours after drinking it.</p> <p>But three studies that lasted two weeks found drinking coffee did not increase blood pressure compared with decaffeinated coffee or avoiding caffeine. So you need to monitor your individual response to caffeine.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/63940/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/clare-collins-7316">Clare Collins</a>, Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tracy-burrows-172931">Tracy Burrows</a>, Senior Lecturer Nutrition and Dietetics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tracy-schumacher-295602">Tracy Schumacher</a>, Research Associate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/seven-things-to-eat-or-avoid-to-lower-your-blood-pressure-63940">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: St Mary's Healthcare System</em></p> </div>

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"Could not be happier": Channel 7 commentator's baby joy

<p>AFL great and Channel 7 commentator Dale Thomas and his wife Natasha have announced that they are expecting their first child together. </p> <p>The couple told family and friends over Christmas before announcing their baby joy to the public on Monday. </p> <p>“Tash and I could not be happier to be welcoming our baby into the world in August,” the former Carlton and Collingwood player said. </p> <p>“Last year started with the high of our wedding and ended with this fantastic news.</p> <p>“Telling loved ones over the Christmas period made for some wonderful memories and some brilliant reactions, and we will treasure this forever.</p> <p>“This next chapter has us both so excited.</p> <p>“As happy as we are to be sharing this great personal news, we also want to acknowledge and send big love and thoughts to those who are still waiting for their baby joy.</p> <p>“We appreciate how difficult and sensitive it can be.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGusT0yz1zr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGusT0yz1zr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Dale Thomas (@dthomas_39)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The couple also shared a video of the moment they found out they were expecting, and revealed the due date is in August on Instagram. </p> <p>"Baby Thomas, due August ❤️ We love you so, so much," they captioned the video. </p> <p>The comments were flooded with well-wishes from friends, with footy commentator Abbey Holmes writing: "YAY. Cats outta the bag!! So so so excited for you both. Bring it on xxxxxxxxxxxxxx." </p> <p>"OMFG this is the best news ever!!!! What a wonderful Monday surprise. Congratulations to the both you. Good job," added MasterChef's Khanh Ong.</p> <p>The happy news comes a year after they tied the knot in Dunkeld. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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"My boys": Channel 7 presenter's baby joy

<p>Channel 7 sports presenter Abbey Gelmi and former Richmond star Kane Lambert are celebrating the birth of their second child, a baby boy.</p> <p>The couple took to Instagram to announce their joyful news, with a set of black-and-white photos. </p> <p>“My boys 🌏🤍,” Gelmi wrote in the caption. </p> <p>One of the photos showed her fiance holding the two children, and the second was of her holding her newborn baby boy. </p> <p>“Oliver Herb Lambert arrived 17.11.24,” Gelmi continued.</p> <p>“Everyone happy, healthy and very much in love.”</p> <p>Fellow Aussie stars were quick to congratulate the couple, with <em>Better Homes and Gardens </em>host Joh Griggs saying: “Welcome to the Two boys Club Abbey. Those lucky men in your life…❤️❤️❤️.”</p> <p>Seven AFL presenter Abbey Holmes added:  “Omg !!! Just beautiful!! Congratulations guys, rapt for you xx.”</p> <p>Brit Selwood, wife of Geelong great Joel, commented: “Aww congratulations gorgeous!!! Two beautiful boys, just the best ❤️❤️.”</p> <p>While Australian model and influencer Bec Judd wrote a simple, “Congrats darling x.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCieSDcTOdN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCieSDcTOdN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Abbey Gelmi (@abbeygelmi)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Lambert and Gelmi already share a son together, Louis, who was born in March 2023. </p> <p>In May this year, Gelmi revealed that her pregnancy with her second son was difficult, as she battled a “debilitating” case of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), a condition that causes intractable vomiting during pregnancy leading to weight loss. </p> <p>At the time, she had been absent from duties with Seven and iHeart Radio, and explained why she had been absent. </p> <p>“I’ve been in hospital three days a week for most of the first trimester, unable to keep anything down or leave bed with relentless nausea. I’d get dizzy when I stood, couldn’t care for (first-born) Louis and my mental health took a dive," she shared. </p> <p>She then shared a few resources for women who may experience the same condition,  "in the hope that those who endure it know they’re not alone." </p> <p>“Work have been so accommodating, I can’t thank Seven and iHeart enough for the grace and time to recover.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Family & Pets

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Dr Chris Brown's new show revealed

<p>Beloved TV personality Dr Chris Brown is returning to Aussie screens with a brand new show. </p> <p>Following his departure from Network Ten last year, the TV vet has joined Seven and now his latest project with the broadcaster has been revealed. </p> <p>Brown is set to join some other well-known Aussies including Mick Molloy, Amanda Keller, Kate Ritchie and Matt Preston, who will be his untrained and unqualified veterinary assistants on the show <em>Once In A Lifetime</em>. </p> <p>In the upcoming show the beloved vet will embark on global wildlife journeys with the other entertainers, as they help iconic animals while navigating unpredictable situations. </p> <p>From saving endangered species to facing wild dangers, the stars will be at the forefront to experience the best of what nature has to offer. </p> <p>Brown is already a big hit for Seven, after the success of his show <em>Dream Home</em> last year. </p> <p>He left Network Ten in February 2023, after a 15-year career at the network. </p> <p>His departure was a blow for Ten, as the popular TV presenter hosted multiple programs over the years. </p> <p>It is understood that he is on a two-year contract with Seven, which is believed to be worth more than $1 million a year. </p> <p>Some of the other upcoming series that will be making a return to air on Seven next year include: <em>Farmer Wants A Wife, Australian Idol, My Kitchen Rules, The Voice, Dancing With The Stars </em>and <em>The 1% Club.</em></p> <p><em>Images: news.com.au</em></p>

TV

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Seven star names and shames worst celeb interviews

<p>A former Channel Seven showbiz reporter has named and shamed the worst celebrities he's interviewed. </p> <p>Nelson Aspen, 61, who as an entertainment correspondent for Sunrise for two decades opened up on his worst celebrity encounters fellow showbiz reporter Kjersti Flaa on her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ7xEdVa25s" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>YouTube show</em></a>. </p> <p>Flaa who is known for revealing her own "nightmare" celebrity encounter with Blake Lively, prompted Aspen to share his own experience with the <em>Gossip Girl </em>actress. </p> <p>Aspen said that his first interview with Lively in 2016 was “fun and playful” and he was "gobsmacked" by her beauty. But he had a very different experience just two years later when he interviewed her and Anna Kendrick for <em>A Simple Favor</em>. </p> <p>“I’m figuring, ‘Oh this is going to be fun.’ I’d interviewed Anna before and she’s fine, but Blake? She’s going to be be a hoot, I can’t wait,” Aspen recalled. </p> <p>“They were paired together, and I think that may have had something to do with it. She [Lively] could’ve been having a bad day, maybe they didn’t get along, maybe it was competition, maybe it was two egos trapped in the same room, maybe Blake is just better one-on-one … I don’t know, but she answered every question with a question, combatively.</p> <p>“It was not pleasant, and Anna sort of did the same. It’s like she was like, ‘OK this is girl power, we’re going to be team up on the journalist.’</p> <p>“And in your interview with Blake, I recognised it, this is a trait, obviously a recurring one,” he told Flaa.</p> <p>“Thanks to you, everybody’s warned.”</p> <p>He then revealed that one of his most uncomfortable chats was with Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, and prior to his interview, a publicist warned him that De Niro "won't look you in the eyes". </p> <p>That was exactly what happened when he interviewed the actor. </p> <p>“The camera that was on me was off to a weird angle so that Robert never had to look me in the face,” Aspen recalled. </p> <p>“He looked off camera, but when we cut it together it looked as if he was looking at me.</p> <p>“They went to so much trouble to avoid him having to look at the journalist.”</p> <p>Another A-lister he interviewed was Marvel star Paul Rudd, considered to be one of the nicest guys in Hollywood, but Aspen said it wasn't always the case. </p> <p>“He’s usually very sweet, but it was his birthday, and that’s when everybody was talking about ‘ageless Paul Rudd’,” Aspen said.</p> <p>“They [publicists] said, ‘Don’t ask him about his youthful appearance, and don’t say Happy Birthday.’ I was like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’</p> <p>“Yes it was coming from the publicist, but he must have said, ‘I don’t want to talk about my birthday’.”</p> <p>"I can’t remember exactly how it went down, but whatever it was they were very sensitive about it, and it was very uncomfortable and awkward, and nobody says that about Paul Rudd.</p> <p>“But it happens, they’re people too.”</p> <p>However, his interviews weren't all bad, with Hugh Jackman known as one of the kindest stars in Hollywood. </p> <p>“I’ve interviewed him a thousand times. He’s the best,” Aspen said.</p> <p>Meryl Streep and Julie Andrews were also among Aspen’s favourites.</p> <p><em>Image: Youtube</em></p>

TV

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Why Sam Armytage left Seven

<p>Sam Armytage has revealed the reason why she left the Seven Network after more than 20 years of working with them. </p> <p>In a candid interview with 2GB's Ben Fordham, the journalist revealed why she left the network shortly after hosting F<em>armer Wants A Wife</em>. </p> <p>“Look, I just had enough,” she said on Friday morning. </p> <p>“I’ve done it for a long time — you know what those hours are like, it is quite gruelling.”</p> <p>Armytage, who was also a presenter for the network's morning show, <em>Sunrise</em>, said she “used to get a lot of attention” from the show and it became "pretty full on". </p> <p>“I just needed a break,” she said.</p> <p>“The time was right and life had changed. I just got married, my mum had died, everything had changed and I knew the time was right.</p> <p>“I’d had enough, and you know I like a good horse metaphor — I’d ridden it to the top, I’d done all I could do and it was good time to step out.”</p> <p>The beloved presenter is not leaving the small screen anytime soon, as she is now set to host Nine's new TV show <em>The Golden Bachelor</em>. </p> <p>“This is a fresh start for me after 21 years at the old network, here I am … This new show is going to be great fun,” she said on the radio show. </p> <p>While talking about the show, she said that she has a lot of faith in its potential, saying: “It’s going to be really great fun, it’s going to be hilarious, but I also think we’ve got some space for some really poignant stories here because we are looking for people in their 50s and 60s, maybe even into their 70s who have loved before and want to love again.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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"Lots of NDAs": Channel Nine could face class action

<p>Channel Nine could face a class action over <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/damning-report-exposes-toxic-workplace-culture-at-channel-nine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allegations of bullying</a>, sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct, according to one of Australia's leading employment lawyers Josh Bornstein. </p> <p>Bornstein told<em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/media/channel-nine-could-face-class-action-over-allegations-of-bullying-sexual-harassment-and-inappropriate-conduct/news-story/7e7f5979007ae16ae81621e48e48acab" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> news.com.au</a></em> that a class action might be an option for men and women who were the victims of a "hostile workplace". </p> <p>“There is a provision of the Sex Discrimination Act that is relatively recent and was introduced as a result of the Respect At Work changes,” he said.</p> <p>“It is a new provision that says that it’s a breach of the Act for an employer to maintain a workplace that is hostile for women.</p> <p>“So in light of the report, which indicates widespread bullying, sexism, punishment, sexual harassment, and favouritism of male reporters over female reporters getting access to stories, there is at least the basis on which to start considering whether a class action could be brought.”</p> <p>Bornstein is the principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn, a law firm that has won more than  $4.3 billion in settlements for clients since their inception in 1998. </p> <p>“If the report is right, it’s systemic, which means many women have been impacted, and they’ve been subjected to an environment that’s hostile to them because of their gender, and if they’ve been harmed by that, a class action could give them some form of redress," he added. </p> <p>However, one of the complications would be the nondisclosure agreements some of the women may have signed before leaving the companies. </p> <p>“I’m aware there’s lots of NDA, particularly at Nine, and lots of releases as well.</p> <p>“A class action just requires a sufficiently large enough group of affected people who come together to lodge a case that says, ‘This is the sort of workplace environment we’ve been subjected to’.</p> <p>“They have to show that they’ve been subjected to the sorts of behaviours that are dealt with in the report and that or that adverse conduct was based on their gender, and then if they were able to show that the law had been breached, then compensation would be based on individual harm.”</p> <p>He added that in his opinion, while it might be better "for women to band together to pursue a collective case" it may be a bit more difficult as "there’s a fear that if you take on commercial networks, that’s the end of your career," which he said is a "well founded" fear. </p> <p><em>Image: FiledIMAGE / Shutterstock.com</em></p>

Legal

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Damning report exposes toxic workplace culture at Channel Nine

<p>A damning culture investigation has revealed a history of systemic bullying and harassment within the Channel Nine workplace. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.nineforbrands.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Intersection-Nine-Entertainment-2024-Report-FA.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a>, which was conducted by independent investigators, revealed their findings on Thursday, sharing the extent of the disturbing behaviour going on inside the network's offices.</p> <p>As stated in the report, Nine has “has a systemic issue with abuse of power and authority; bullying, discrimination and harassment; and sexual harassment”, with several employees sharing their own horror stories of working for the network. </p> <p>Dozens of female workers came forward with allegations of sexual assault, with one employee saying, “When I was in (location), (employee) tried to groom me. He also touched me on the bum at the Christmas party and at other times he would rub my legs under the table."</p> <p>“I saw him do it to other women.”</p> <p>Another staff member was warned not to let a senior male employee “touch (her) boobs”, adding, “His comments about my body were constant.”</p> <p>“He made me feel like I was just a piece of meat to be ogled at, and that he was the credible one just because he was the older man. Over time, this eroded my confidence. It just chipped away at it.”</p> <p>Other employees said the culture at Nine “destroyed (them) as a human being”, left them “broken” and a “shell” or gave them “debilitating” anxiety.</p> <p>“I was broken,” one former employee said. “I left the newsroom after a year. By the time I left my soul was gone.”</p> <p>If anyone complained about the toxic culture and inappropriate behaviour, they were allegedly sent to what was known as “punishment island”.</p> <p>“I have only been at the company a short time, but in my opinion there is a concerning culture among senior older men of sexual(ly) inappropriate jokes. There is sexual intimidation against young women and I find this completely unacceptable. I will always call them out,” another said.</p> <p>Others said talking about getting bullied at Nine had become commonplace, with one employee saying, “We used to talk about being bullied, harassed or publicly humiliated like you’d talk about the weather. Now when I look back it horrifies me how normalised it had become."</p> <p>Nine’s new chair Catherine West released a statement on Thursday after the report finding, saying, “We are deeply sorry ... I unreservedly apologise.”</p> <p>“Today is an incredibly difficult day for Nine as we confront these findings and reflect on serious cultural issues as an organisation."</p> <p>“The behaviour outlined in the report is unacceptable. Abuse of power, bullying, sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct is not OK. This behaviour has no place at Nine.”</p> <p>The report concluded with 22 recommendations to address the negative culture, including training, accountability and another external review in three years.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <div class="hide-print ad-no-notice css-svlwa0-StyledAdUnitWrapper ezkyf1c0" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: #292a33; color: #292a33; font-family: HeyWow, Montserrat, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </div>

Legal

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Channel 7 star hospitalised over heart issue

<p>Former Brisbane Lions AFLW star Kate McCarthy’s celebrations following the Brisbane Lions men’s AFL grand final victory were cut short after she was hospitalised due to an ongoing heart condition.</p> <p>McCarthy, 31, who played 42 games in the AFLW for the Brisbane Lions, St Kilda and Hawthorn across seven seasons before retiring, has been an active presence in the world of AFL even after stepping off the field. She currently serves as a commentator for Triple M and Channel 7, having provided coverage for Channel 7 during the AFL grand final weekend. McCarthy also co-hosts panel shows <em>Armchair Experts</em> and <em>Talking W</em>.</p> <p>Over the weekend, McCarthy celebrated the Lions’ dominant 60-point grand final win over the Sydney Swans and their AFLW team’s two-point victory over the Adelaide Crows, which pushed the women’s team to second place on the ladder.</p> <p>However, McCarthy took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday to reveal she had been hospitalised due to a heart-related issue, sharing a light-hearted post about the situation: “When the @brisbanelions & @lionsaflw double over the weekend sends you into ventricular tachycardia."</p> <p>Ventricular tachycardia is a condition where the heart beats faster than 100 beats per minute, causing a rapid and irregular rhythm. This can become life-threatening if left untreated, especially for individuals with underlying heart conditions.</p> <p>McCarthy’s heart issues are particularly dangerous due to her reliance on a pacemaker, which was implanted after she suffered from seizures as a child. At the age of five, McCarthy was diagnosed with an intermittent third-degree heart block, a condition where the electrical signals that control the heart’s rhythm fail to fire properly. After several seizures during her childhood, including a severe episode when she was 12, she underwent emergency surgery to install the pacemaker.</p> <p>Despite these health challenges, McCarthy’s sporting career has been nothing short of remarkable. She represented Queensland in cricket and touch footy and played for Australia in the latter before making her AFLW debut for the Lions in 2017. Her AFLW career highlights include being named an All-Australian and the Lions’ leading goal kicker in their inaugural season.</p> <p>McCarthy’s heart condition appears to be under control, with her pacemaker functioning as intended. While her health scare has been concerning, she reassured her followers that she is on the mend, humorously comparing her pacemaker’s performance to that of the Sydney Swans on grand final day.</p> <p>"On the mend now," McCarthy wrote, "but Monday night review shows pacemaker performing like the Swans on the big stage.”</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter (X)</em></p>

Caring

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Another Channel 7 star quits in AFL shake-up

<p>Just last month Kane Cornes confirmed his move from the Nine Network to Channel 7 for the 2025 season, with colleague and veteran journalist Caroline Wilson doing the same. </p> <p>Now it has emerged that Channel 7 and Triple M commentator Luke Darcy has reportedly decided to walk away from the media industry all together, in the latest AFL shake-up. </p> <p>Darcy, a former ruckman who played 226 games with the Western Bulldogs, joined the media industry in 2007. He was initially with Network Ten before he moved to Channel 7 in 2011 and has since filled a variety of hosting and commentary roles. </p> <p>He also had a long-running breakfast show on Triple M with Eddie McGuire before that ended in 2020.</p> <p>Darcy got attention for his interview during the 2013 Essendon peptide saga and his repetition of the phrase, “say that again”. </p> <p>Now, he is choosing to walk away from the media to focus on his family's varied business ventures, according to the <em>Herald Sun</em>. </p> <p>A few of their business interests include a wellness spa in Bali, pubs and venues in Victoria, as well as a podcast on leadership. </p> <p>The news comes following a series of controversies involving Darcy, who on April this  year, confronted Cornes during a live Triple M radio segment, labelling the former  Port Adelaide midfielder “more mean spirited and nasty to people than anyone in the history of our industry”.</p> <p>The two have since cleared the air, to some extent, with Cornes saying that just last week he had crossed paths with Darcy during a footy game, and Darcy happily passed him some milk for a cup of tea. </p> <p>Wilson was among those that defended Cornes and called Darcy out for being out of line.</p> <p>It is unclear whether the controversy had any impact on Darcy's decision to leave the industry. </p> <p>A few footy fans were having a field day with the news, with one writing on Reddit: “Thank f**k. Insufferable that guy." </p> <p>“Nice bloke probably. But he’s the only actual voice I can’t stand listening to,” added another.</p> <p>“To give some credit he does sound genuinely excited/passionate for the game in much of his commentary," one defended. </p> <p><em>Image: news.com.au</em></p>

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Another Channel Ten star jumps ship to rival network

<p>As Channel Ten continues to make difficult choices about their future as they struggle to stay afloat, one high profile host has jumped ship to a rival network. </p> <p>According to <em><a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/channel-ten-star-jumps-ship-to-nine-following-mass-axings-214525599.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo Lifestyle</a></em>, Rodger Corser, who was the host of the short-lived series <em>The Traitors Australia </em>on Ten, is set to host a new show on Nine titled <em>The Floor</em>, with Channel Nine allegedly swooping in to steal the actor and presenter "from underneath Network 10's noses".</p> <p>An industry insider told <em>Yahoo Lifestyle</em> that <em>The Traitors Australia</em> was being looked at again for another season, but Rodger's sudden move to Channel Nine has killed any hope that a third series would continue.</p> <p>As for Corser's new gig with Nine, <em>The Floor</em> is described as being a "game based around a floor grid of 81 squares, each of which is occupied by a contestant with expertise in a different trivia category. Pairs of contestants face each other in head-to-head trivia duels, with the winner taking over all territory controlled by the loser."</p> <p>After being made popular in the US with host Rob Lowe, the insider said Corser would be "perfect fit" to bring the show Down Under. </p> <p>"Nine didn't really want anyone else," they said. "<em>The Floor</em> is going to be massive and Nine are thrilled to have Rodger on contract."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

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Network Seven claps back after Robert Ovadia's claims of "evil" conduct

<p>Channel Seven has clapped back at claims from former <em>7News</em> presenter Robert Ovadia that they are engaging in "evil" conduct, claiming they have found more inappropriate emails from the veteran journalist. </p> <p>Robert Ovadia, who worked with Seven for 23 years, was fired in June and has taken the matter to court claiming he was unfairly dismissed, while also claiming the network is hellbent on destroying his reputation. </p> <p>However, the network has finally spoke out about the claims, saying they have recent complaints from more female staffers about inappropriate behaviour. </p> <p>“Mr Ovadia commenced Federal Court proceedings against Seven over his dismissal for serious misconduct following the sending of inappropriate emails to a 23-year-old news producer and other employees of Seven," a Seven spokesman said.</p> <p>“In doing so, Seven is discharging its obligations to prevent sexual harassment at work, including as more recently expanded under recent legislation. Mr Ovadia was trained about these new legislative obligations by Seven and failed to comply with them.”</p> <p>The statement from the network went on to suggest there are further revelations to come, as more women have come forward with allegations of inappropriate conduct.</p> <p>“At the first hearing of those proceedings on Thursday, 29 August 2024 about Orders for the filing of evidence and timetable steps, Justice Raper asked Seven whether any other conduct would be relied upon by Seven other than set out in the termination letter," the spokesman said.</p> <p>“In that context, Seven confirmed it has had complaints or allegations about Mr Ovadia from 13 other employees. Although Seven was not required to provide examples of the other conduct it intends to rely on at this stage, Seven has provided Mr Ovadia and his lawyers examples of some of the inappropriate emails by Mr Ovadia, which will be further detailed in Seven’s defence required to be filed on 12 September 2024."</p> <p>“Out of respect for their privacy, Seven has not chosen to make further even more inappropriate emails public at this stage. In response to this, Mr Ovadia has made outlandish complaints about Seven being an ‘evil company’ with a ‘propaganda unit’ that is setting out to destroy his reputation. Seven is confident its position on this matter will be upheld by the Courts."</p> <p>In response to the statement, Ovadia took to Instagram to take another swing at his former employer while also maintaining his innocence. </p> <p>“I can be crass, I can be blunt, I can be obnoxious, my humour is dark – 20 years surrounded by trauma and danger will do all of that to you – but I do NOT mistreat women,” Mr Ovadia said in a lengthy Instagram post.</p> <p>“I’ll expect more smear over the coming months as this evil company (in whose service I risked my life and safety many times) now seeks to destroy my reputation further,” Mr Ovadia said.</p> <p>“When this kicked off, the day Seven first leaked this story, my teenage daughter asked if people will think her dad is a rapist. At least <em>Four Corners</em>’ laboured hatchet job got one thing right – the Seven Network is diabolical.”</p> <p>The journalist went on to share screenshots of conversations he had with female staffers who shared their words of support for Ovadia, saying they believe the allegations are false. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

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