Channel 9 sacks TODAY presenter Alex Cullen over $50k prize

Nine is in turmoil with the axing of a popular presenter over a “recent incident”.

The Nine Network has announced this morning TODAY presenter Alex Cullen has been sacked, saying in a statement: “Nine has agreed with TODAY presenter and journalist Alex Cullen that he will finish with the network following a review into a recent incident.”

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: The exchange that created turmoil at Nine.

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The trouble all started on a week ago when Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli offered a cash prize to the first television presenter to refer to him as “McLaren guy” on air. Apparently, Portelli didn’t like being referred to as “Lambo guy”; a nickname he was given after turning up to an auction on The Block in a yellow Lamborghini.

Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli offered a cash prize to the first television presenter to refer to him as “McLaren Man” on air. Credit: Instagram

Cullen took the bait and at 5.45am on Friday morning worked the new moniker into his cross on the TODAY show when chatting to hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo (you can see the exchange in the video player above).

“We’re going to do a bit of celebrity spotting today”, remarked Cullen.

“Deborra-Lee Furness has been here, Dannii Minogue as well,” he continued as he looked down to make sure he got the next name right. “Adrian Portelli, aka the McLaren guy likely to make an appearance here as well”.

Sarah Abo chimed in saying “’Lambo Guy’, it’s a different luxury car”.

“No, I think it’s, no I’m pretty sure it’s McLaren guy” continued Cullen.

“Yeah, no, it’s definitely McLaren guy” added a laughing Stefanovic, before adding “we can split the 50 grand”.

According to The Herald Sun, Cullen then posted the clip on his Instagram account (the post appears to have since been deleted).

True to his word, Portelli paid the 50k, according to a social media post showing a bank transfer and captioned: “We have a winner! Well played sir.”

Cullen was then suspended by the network pending an investigation, which has now resulted in his termination.

Karl Stefanovic, Sarah Abo and Alex Cullen on the TODAY show Credit: Nine

During Cullen’s suspension, Portelli posted a screenshot of a bank transfer with the money being transferred to charity, claiming the TODAY presenter had always wanted to use the money this way.

It’s a claim that didn’t stack up.

Before his sacking I spoke to people in the industry about his situation and it turned out to be a divisive issue. Hardliners believed he should be sacked for breaking the MEAA Journalist Code Of Ethics which states: Do not improperly use a journalistic position for personal gain.

Others were more forgiving who say it was a stupid thing to do but he shouldn’t be sacked.

Ultimately, Nine didn’t have much choice but to sack Cullen, a likeable guy who made a stupid decision.

INSIDE MEDIA will have more on this story in the edition published on Monday.