Jessica Rowe Why she really quit Studio 10
Studio 10 star Jessica Rowe gives up the ‘best job’ to be a more present mum
After much soul-searching and discussions with my family, it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to leave Studio 10,” an emotional Jessica Rowe announced on air.
Fighting back tears, the TV host, 47, told viewers at home, “My family need me. It’s been difficult. I want to be a more present mum for my girls, Allegra and Giselle. They need their mum. I want to be there in the mornings, I want to take them to school, do canteen duty... it’s something I need to do. It’s as simple as that.”
Jess, who has been a key part of the morning show since it launched in November 2013, has dropped several hints lately that she’s keen to take a step back and spend time with her husband, Nine news stalwart Peter Overton, and their daughters Allegra, 11, and Giselle, eight.
Just four days before the shock announcement, Jess revealed she was searching for “new ways of slowing down”.
“If I can slow my mind, there is a better chance that I’ll be more balanced and present for the people I love,” she wrote on her Crap Housewife blog.
And over Christmas, she confessed her guilt over not putting her family first.
“I had been saying that a lot recently. Soon, I would watch my daughters play. Soon, I would reply to the emails of friends. Soon, I would organise a date night with my husband. Everything was on a collision course.”
Still, there was controversy after Jess’ shock announcement, with axed former Studio 10 executive producer Rob Mcknight claiming the network “have been planning to sack her for over a year”.
But show bosses were quick to refute the claims, and Jess insisted, “Ten have been really supportive of me and my need to step back. Even as late as last week, they gave me a new proposal with reduced hours.”
But by then, Jess had already made her mind up. “I decided that Allegra and Giselle came first at this time,” she said.