Today news presenter, Georgie Gardner announced this morning she would be leaving the Today Show after seven years on the breakfast show. Courtesy Channel Nine/Today

GEORGIE Gardner has announced with a “heavy heart” that she is leaving The Today Show after seven years on the program.

The much loved breakfast host and news reader made the announcement on this morning’s show.

"I'm going to be finishing up on TODAY.I make this announcement with a very heavy heart" @GeorgieG.We'll miss you GG! pic.twitter.com/jvY5xTI6nV — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 25, 2014 Sub-type: comment CAPTION: "I'm going to be finishing up on TODAY. I make this announcement with a very heavy heart" @GeorgieG.We'll miss you GG! pic.twitter.com/jvY5xTI6nV & mdash; The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 25, 2014 Sub-type: comment CAPTION: "I'm going to be finishing up on TODAY. I make this announcement with a very heavy heart" @GeorgieG.We'll miss you GG! pic.twitter.com/jvY5xTI6nV & mdash; The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 25, 2014

A Nine press release said Gardner would be taking on a “broader role” at the network.



“It has not been an easy decision to leave a show that is an Australian television institution,” Gardner said in a statement.

“Today is a program that has afforded me enormous opportunities and experiences and enabled me to forge lifelong friendships. It’s been a career highlight and a great privilege.





“The early hours are punishing and after seven years it’s time for me to catch up on some sleep. After unwavering support from Tim and my kids I want to give back to them. I figure I have limited time of Bronte and Angus wanting and needing their mother around, so I want to maximise and cherish these precious years.

WATCH: @GeorgieG made a sad announcement this morning, we're going to miss her: https://t.co/9Ykpb4GPs7 #Today9 — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 25, 2014 Sub-type: comment CAPTION: WATCH: @GeorgieG made a sad announcement this morning, we're going to miss her: https://t.co/9Ykpb4GPs7 #Today9— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 25, 2014 Sub-type: comment CAPTION: WATCH: @GeorgieG made a sad announcement this morning, we're going to miss her: https://t.co/9Ykpb4GPs7 #Today9— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 25, 2014

“I’m extremely excited about the array of career opportunities at Nine that lie ahead.”

Nine’s Director of News and Current Affairs, Darren Wick, announced that Gardner will continue with her 6.00pm News duties with Peter Overton and the team.

She will also take up the co-host chair on Mornings with David Campbell when Sonia Kruger is on Big Brother duties later in the year, and contribute to 60 Minutes.

“Georgie is a much valued member of the Nine News team and we welcome the opportunity to have her professional presence in a range of new roles across the network, including reporting on 60 Minutes,” Wick said.

“We love Georgie at the Nine Network and I’m personally very pleased we have her with us as an outstanding member of the News team,” said David Gyngell, NEC CEO.

The show had teased a “BIG announcement” on their Twitter feed just 20 minutes prior.

Stay tuned... the BIG announcement about one of our hosts isn't far away... What could it be??? #Today9 — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 25, 2014 Sub-type: comment CAPTION: Stay tuned ... the BIG announcement about one of our hosts isn't far away ... What could it be??? #Today9 & mdash; The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 25, 2014 Sub-type: comment CAPTION: Stay tuned ... the BIG announcement about one of our hosts isn't far away ... What could it be??? #Today9 & mdash; The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 25, 2014

Before announcing her departure, Gardner joked that the big news was not that she was pregnant and neither was Karl.

“I want to announce today that I’m going to be finishing up on The Today Show. I promised I wouldn’t get upset,” she said.

“I’ve given this a lot of consideration, obviously, but the time has come. I make this announcement with a very heavy heart because you are my family ... but I’m not leaving the Nine network, that’s the good news, I’m still here.

"You're my family" - @GeorgieG. We love you GG and you'll always be a part of the TODAY family! #Today9 pic.twitter.com/OdJt1DGScJ — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 25, 2014 Sub-type: comment CAPTION: "You're my family" - @GeorgieG. We love you GG and you'll always be a part of the TODAY family! #Today9 pic.twitter.com/OdJt1DGScJ— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 25, 2014 Sub-type: comment CAPTION: "You're my family" - @GeorgieG. We love you GG and you'll always be a part of the TODAY family! #Today9 pic.twitter.com/OdJt1DGScJ— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 25, 2014

“We all know on this show the hours are gruelling, you have to be extremely committed, you’re all family but I feel I actually need to give back to my own family a little bit more so that’s really what I’ve based the decision on.

“I’ll miss you terribly, I’ll be watching from home, rooting from the sidelines, but it’s been amazing, it’s been the most amazing career highlight but I feel it’s time for Tim and the kids to have present Mummy as opposed to grumpy Mummy.”

It is not yet known when Gardner’s last show will be.