Network Ten have today announced the resignation of Director of Morning Television, Adam Boland, due to ill health.
Boland who has previously talked about battling bipolar disorder, was forced to take stress leave from the program just three days after the launch in November, he returned to the program shortly after but took a second break during late December.
Boland will be replaced by former Today Show Executive Producer Steve Wood. The Ten Network has actively been searching for a replacement for Boland since late November.
Speaking today via Twitter Adam Boland said “Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. I’m sorry to have let Ten down, but I’m thankful they’ve allowed me to focus on my health. Onwards.”
On his Facebook Boland went on to write “So, I made a big life decision this month which I can finally talk about. I’m leaving Ten and indeed, television. Since my breakdown, I have struggled to get my mind back in the game. And that’s unfair to my many friends who produce morning TV at Ten. I’m proud of the shows we launched – but they will only reach their full potential with strong leadership. I’m thankful that Ten agreed to release me from my contract. The truth is, I have lost my passion for television. Sadly, that’s something I only realised when I started doing day-to-day shows again.”
Looking back at his 17 years in television, Boland wrote: “I have achieved far more than I ever expected. I’ve met people I adore, from Al Gore to Benjamin Law. I’ve dined with prime ministers and argued with newspaper editors. I even got to produce a prime-time concert at the Opera House! But I’m most proud of the times we shed light on issues I care about – climate change, equality and most recently, mental health. There’s nothing more I want to do in television.”
In a statement from Ten Network CEO Hamish McLennan said: “We are sorry to lose Adam. But we fully understand and support his decision to take a break from the television industry and focus on restoring his health.
“We are very grateful to Adam for the passion, enthusiasm and drive he brought to his role at Ten over the past 10 months. He is leaving a great legacy. Studio 10 has been a success since day one and is being increasingly embraced by viewers and advertisers. Wake Up has strong potential and will develop further this year.
“Wake Up and Studio 10 are not even three months old. We are happy with both shows, but we have always acknowledged it will take time to establish them. Network Ten remains committed to building a strong presence in the breakfast and morning television market,”
