Melissa Doyle has slammed “conspiracy theorists,” denying she was not forced to quit Sunrise. The TV presenter has responded to rumours that she was axed from the top morning programme after 14 years of hosting the show.

Recent reports claim that Doyle was told by Channel Seven bosses to leave Sunrise and take a pay cut of around $150,000 annually. Instead of telling viewers that she was axed, the network bigwigs told her that she would be taking a news presenting job in an afternoon timeslot, which some think is a semi-redundant position.

She was apparently left with no choice so she accepted, though she was heartbroken over their treatment of her.

Read:
‘Sunrise’ Presenter Melissa Doyle Axed Not ‘Promoted’, Told To Take $150K Pay Cut

According to News Ltd sources, Channel Seven’s viewers saw the 43-year-old Doyle as too “mumsy” and old fashioned, that’s why bosses thought it’s best to replace her with “sexy” Samantha Armytage, 35.

Doyle, who is currently on vacation with her husband, took to her Facebook page to deny the reports, asserting that it was her decision to leave the show to take on a new opportunity.

“I'm still on holidays before completing a couple of overseas work assignments but it seems the rumour mill has been working overtime. I don't normally bother responding to fictional stories but judging by the number of comments I've received I thought it best to reply,” she wrote on her Facebook page.

“What I said on air and in all the media interviews when I announced my departure was correct. It was then, it is now. Obviously you can't stop people making up stories and that seems to be what is happening now.”

She explained that her holiday was planned since February, and that it was not a “hastily planned getaway.” She announced her departure from the show before she went on leave, but she would be back for a short time this July before she officially leaves Sunrise.

“I was presented with a new opportunity at the network and I decided to accept it. Of course I will be sad to leave the Sunrise couch, but I'm also excited and happy about my new challenge. I know the conspiracy theorists would like you to believe otherwise, but it's just not true.”

A spokeswoman for the network also denied that the TV presenter was forced to take a pay cut, adding that audience research about her age and image was positive.

Watch Doyle’s announcement here:

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