Weekend Today presenter Belinda Russell quits; will remain at Channel Nine

Weekend Today co-host Belinda Russell has announced she is leaving the show.

The popular presenter, 44, who is known for her viral TikTok dancing videos, shared the news via a statement on Instagram on Sunday night.

She did not give a reason for her exit, and it is unclear if she left of her own choosing or if her departure was a management decision.

Russell, who began her career at Nine as a reporter for A Current Affair in 2007, last appeared on Weekend Today on Sunday, February 26, with co-host Clint Stanaway.

There was no mention of her leaving the show, and she did not receive any kind of send-off, which is customary for departing presenters.

Weekend Today co-host Belinda Russell (left, with Tim Davies, centre, and Jayne Azzopardi, right) has announced she is leaving the show

The popular presenter, 44, who is known for her viral TikTok dancing videos, shared the news via a statement on Instagram on Sunday night. She did not give a reason for her exit, and it is unclear if she left of her own choosing or if her departure was a management decision 

Russell (left), who began her career at Nine as a reporter for A Current Affair in 2007, last appeared on Weekend Today on Sunday, February 26, with co-host Clint Stanaway (right)

Jayne Azzopardi filled in for Russell on Today this past weekend, alongside Stanaway and newsreader Lizzie Pearl.

While she was absent from Weekend Today, Russell did do her usual weather bulletin for the Sydney evening news on Saturday. She also co-anchored Today Extra on Monday.

In a terse statement addressing her ‘career update’, she wished the Today team ‘good luck’ and confirmed she was ‘looking forward to future opportunities’ at Nine.

‘Hello, friends. A little career update for you. My time on Weekend Today has come to an end. Thanks to those who tuned in,’ she began.

‘I hope I brought some sunshine and joy to your weekends. I have loved the last year and am looking forward to future opportunities at Nine.

‘Good luck to the team for 2023 and beyond!’

Nine staffers flocked to the comments section to wish Russell well, with her former Today Extra co-host David Campbell writing: ‘My sister.’

The Block’s Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie added: ‘Wherever you appear on Nine, you will always add a very special dose of joy.’

Nine’s political editor Charles Croucher, who shared the Weekend Today desk with Russell in 2022, said: ‘What a treat it was to get to spend those mornings with you!’

The Today show’s roving weather presenter Tim Davies added: ‘Loved my time next to you! More fun times ahead.’ 

Nine has not issued any statement on Russell’s departure from Weekend Today. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the network for comment.

After joining Nine 16 years ago, Russell steadily rose through the ranks, becoming the weeknight weather presenter for Nine News Sydney in 2013.

Jayne Azzopardi (left) filled in for Russell on Today this past weekend, alongside Stanaway and newsreader Lizzie Pearl

While she was absent from Weekend Today, Russell did do her usual weather bulletin for the Sydney evening news on Saturday

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She became a familiar face to daytime TV viewers in 2019 when she filled in on Today Extra while Sylvia Jeffreys was on maternity leave.

She continued to host the morning program on Fridays alongside David Campbell after Jeffreys returned to work a year later.

She was appointed co-host of Weekend Today with Charles Croucher and Richard Wilkins in November 2021.

Russell shares three daughters with her Sky News executive husband Mark Calvert, who was previously Nine’s director of morning television.

Russell shares three daughters with her Sky News executive husband Mark Calvert, who was previously Nine’s director of morning television (all pictured) 

In addition to her TV career, Russell is known for her viral dancing videos on TikTok, where she has more than 400,000 followers. (She is pictured here with David Campbell) 

Inspired by her TikToks, she danced with the Today show presents on air back in May 2021

In addition to her TV career, Russell is known for her viral dancing videos on TikTok, where she has more than 400,000 followers.

Her videos, some of which have racked up millions of views, once famously caught the attention of baseball great Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez in May 2021.

Rodriguez, who at the time had just ended his engagement to Jennifer Lopez, sent Russell a direct message on Instagram and praised her ‘great feed’.

After her ‘celebrity encounter’ was discussed on Today, the New York Yankees legend issued a statement saying his daughters had sent the message using his phone.

Her videos, some of which have racked up millions of views, once famously caught the attention of baseball great Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez (right, with Jennifer Lopez) in May 2021 

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Rodriguez, who at the time had just ended his engagement to J.Lo, sent Russell this DM on Instagram and praised her ‘great feed’. After her ‘celebrity encounter’ was discussed on Today, Rodriguez issued a statement saying his daughters had sent the message using his phone