Nine's Alex Cullen to leave Today show over 'Lambo guy' controversy

Alex Cullen, the sports presenter for Channel Nine’s breakfast program *Today*, will be "permanently departing" and leaving the network, his former colleagues have announced. *Today* host Karl Stefanovic said on the program this morning that Cullen had "agreed to part ways with the network," with Sarah Abo also saying the team would "miss him very much."

A Channel Nine spokesperson told the ABC, "Nine and *Today* show presenter and journalist Alex Cullen have agreed that he will depart the network following a review of recent events." Cullen last appeared on *Today* last Friday, when he referred to businessman and social media personality Adrian Portelli as “Mr. McLaren” on air during a segment about the Australian Open.

The comment sparked controversy after it was reported by the *Herald Sun* that Mr. Portelli had said he would pay $50,000 if the first journalist called him by the nickname on television. Mr. Portelli has apparently been trying to discourage people from calling him “Mr. Lambo” – a nickname some gave him after his 2022 appearance on the Channel Nine TV show *The Block*, which showed him arriving at the show’s auction in a yellow Lamborghini.

A Channel Nine spokesperson said on Saturday, “Nine takes this matter very seriously. Appropriate action was taken swiftly, including arranging for funds to be returned. While reviewing the circumstances of what occurred, Alex has agreed to take a period of leave.” Now, the network has confirmed Cullen's departure, referring to his exit as a “permanent departure from his role at *Today* and Nine” in an article on its website.

On the program this morning, Stefanovic said, “As most of you know, our colleague Alex Cullen hasn’t been with us on the show this week. There’s been a lot of reporting around the situation, all I can say is that last night, Alex and Nine agreed that he would part ways with the network.” Two days earlier, Mr. Portelli posted on Instagram that he had made a $25,000 donation in Cullen’s name to both the Salvation Army and the RSPCA.

“I have been silent on what has happened with Alex, but even before he received the news from Channel Nine, we had a conversation and he expressed his desire to make the donation. It speaks volumes of his character. You’re a gentleman, Alex. If Channel Nine lets you go (though I really hope they don’t!) I’d be happy to work with you on something.”