Georgie Gardner was absent from her 9News Sydney desk on Thursday night, just days after she made headlines for an off-script farewell to departing weather presenter Amber Sherlock. The 55-year-old veteran journalist had been filling in for Peter Overton since the start of the week, following his recent fall that left him with multiple injuries.
During the 6pm bulletin on Thursday, weekend newsreader Deb Knight stepped in to cover Gardner's role. Mark Burrows will also take over on Friday and Saturday nights, a shift Gardner typically handles when Overton is off. Daily Mail Australia understands Gardner was attending a charity event on Thursday and is expected to return to screens on Sunday.
Gardner's absence comes after she confirmed the departure of Amber Sherlock from Channel Nine with a sensational off-script moment during Wednesday's bulletin. Deviating from her usual script, Gardner wished Sherlock, 49, a farewell, calling her a 'valued member' of the team and thanking her for her contribution to Nine News.
The following day, Sherlock broke her silence on her exit, taking a sly jab at Nine's recent layoffs. In an Instagram post, she reflected on her 'nearly 20 years' at the network and paid tribute to co-stars Peter Overton and James Bracey. She also referenced the departure of Melbourne weather presenter Livinia Nixon, saying, 'It seems like it's the end of an era for dedicated 6pm weather presenters as "streamlining" seems to be the prevailing forecast.'
