'If the network doesn't apologise, I'm walking': Kerri-Anne Kennerley 'felt abandoned by Channel 10 and had to organise her own PR response' after Yumi Stynes called her racist on air - as she 'threatens to join the Today show'
Kerri-Anne Kennerley reportedly 'felt abandoned' by Channel 10 after she was accused of being 'racist' by Yumi Stynes live on air last week.
ABC presenter Yumi, 43, had told veteran broadcaster Kerri-Anne, 65, she 'sounded racist' on an episode of Studio 10 which aired on Monday, January 28.
Apparently, the Logie Hall of Famer was disappointed the network didn't support her publicly afterwards, leaving her to arrange her own PR response to the scandal.
'If the network doesn't apologise, I'm walking': Kerri-Anne Kennerley (left) reportedly 'felt abandoned by Channel 10 and had to organise her own PR response' after Yumi Stynes (right) called her racist on air last Monday
A source told Monday's New Idea magazine: '[Kerri-Anne] is not happy with Ten. She couldn't believe they had Yumi on to get a headline, as she is famous for it.
'After the stoush, she told friends, "If the network doesn't apologise, I am walking".'
The insider added: 'She also wasn't happy she had to organise her own publicity to help sort out the situation. She had to call on pals Ben Fordham and Kyle and Jackie O so the public could hear her side of the story.'
New Idea further claimed that Kerri-Anne's relationship with Channel 10 is so bad she is considering leaving for a rival network.
Controversy: During a discussion on Studio 10 last Monday, Kerri-Anne said Invasion Day protesters should be less concerned with 'changing the date' and instead focus on social issues affecting remote Aboriginal communities, such as sexual assault and suicide
Response: Fellow panellist Yumi (right) accused her colleague of 'sounding racist', sparking a heated debate surrounding the appropriateness of Kerri-Anne's remarks. Pictured left: Fellow Studio 10 host Joe Hildebrand
She is apparently 'making a push' to get a job on Channel Nine's Today show and believes she 'would be the perfect addition' to the panel.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for comment.
During a discussion on Studio 10 last Monday, Kerri-Anne said Invasion Day protesters should be less concerned with 'changing the date' and instead focus on social issues affecting remote Aboriginal communities, such as sexual assault and suicide.
Taking a stand: Kerri-Anne, who is a Logie Hall of Famer, has denied she is racist
Fellow panellist Yumi accused her colleague of 'sounding racist', sparking a heated debate surrounding the appropriateness of Kerri-Anne's remarks.
In an opinion piece for The Daily Telegraph over the weekend, Kerri-Anne acknowledged that her phrasing could have been better, but stressed she was only trying to highlight 'abuse here and now'.
'The ''racist'' word became the burning headline… the spark that started the fire and what a burn it has been,' she wrote.
'To me, the much more pressing issue for not only the indigenous community but the nation as a whole is the horrific rape of children, babies and women in indigenous communities.'
In the aftermath of the Studio 10 blow-up, Yumi has been targeted by racist and sexist trolls on social media.
She has yet to return to Studio 10.
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
