Jessica Rowe quits Network Ten to spend more time with her kids

• Peter Overton speaks of wife’s courage to step away from TV for family

Jessica Rowe announced this morning that she has decided to leave Network Ten’s morning program Studio 10. She told the stunned live audience it had been a very hard thing to do.

“I have done this because my family needs me,” explained Rowe as her co-hosts looked on. “It has been difficult and I want to be a more present mum for my girls. Allegra and Giselle need their mum. I want to be there in the morning for them and take them to school.”

Rowe said she had spoken with her husband – Nine’s Peter Overton – often about this over the past six months.

“It has weighed on me because this is a job I love and this is the best job on television. It has been a job that has allowed me to find my voice and my courage again.”

Rowe told Network Ten CEO Paul Anderson of her decision earlier this week. “The network said they would welcome me back any time.”

Sitting alongside Rowe as she broke the news were Natarsha Belling, Joe Hildebrand and Denise Drysdale. Hildebrand was holding Rowe’s hand as she spoke and sobbed as she hugged him at one stage.

Peter Overton said of his wife’s decision this morning: “My admiration for Jessica knows no bounds. To make a decision to leave a job you love takes courage.”

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