Mark Beretta announced last month that he would be leaving Sunrise after 22 years on the show.

Mark Beretta has revealed the ‘harrowing’ years on Sunrise that led him to leave the show after 30 years with Seven. Photo: Seven

Mark Beretta has revealed the reasons behind his decision to step down from Sunrise. The sports presenter shocked audiences last month when he announced he would be leaving the Channel 7 show after 22 years.

Beretta first appeared on Sunrise in 2000, but formally joined the show in 2003. When he announced he was leaving, he said the job was his “dream” and “an honour”.

But now he’s opened up about what’s been happening in the background.

“It’s fair to say it was a combination [of Channel 7’s choice and mine],” he told the Daily Telegraph.

“I could see what was coming and I didn’t want to hang around for that.”

He explained that TV has “never been tougher” than it is right now, and after 22 years with the show, he decided it was time for a break.

“And, to be honest, it’s been a harrowing couple of years,” he said. “There’s been a lot going on away from Sunrise and it’s time for a reset.”

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Mark Beretta reveals what’s been happening in his life

For Beretts, as he’s known to viewers, the last six years have been very hard personally.

In 2019, his mother was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer, and in 2022, his father was also diagnosed with cancer.

He sadly passed away earlier this year.

In 2023, his 22-year-long marriage to his wife, Rachel, ended.

 

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When his father died, the presenter revealed the loss made him question whether there was more to life than being on the breakfast show.

He took three weeks off from his job to spend time with his dad, who “had a lot he wanted to tell” the Channel 7 star.

Unfortunately, Beretts recently found out that his mum’s cancer had progressed.

Mark revealed that he wants to spend more time with his mum, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2019. Photo: Instagram/markberetta

“We don’t have a lot of time left with her and that’s a big part of my thinking at the moment,” he explained to the News Corp newspaper.

“The job is great, and it’s fun, and I get a lot of satisfaction out of it.

“But, I don’t want to lose this time.”

The Sunrise presenter also revealed he has a mystery woman in his life who he described as “super kind and super supportive” and was there through the loss of his father.

She also helped him make the decision to leave Sunrise.

Once he wraps up on Sunrise this week, Beretts will spend time with his mum and take a trip around Australia in a campervan.

He added that while he might not return to TV presenting, he will still be involved in sport in some way, whether that be as a producer or something else.

Mark will wrap up his time on Sunrise on Friday, December 12.