Loyal Sunrise fans are speculating that longtime co-host Natalie Barr is preparing for her retirement.
Barr, 56, is currently reporting in Washington DC for the presidential election, while reporter Monique Wright guest-hosts alongside Matt Shirvington.
And as Monique replaces Natalie at Channel Seven’s breakfast show studio in Sydney, viewers are suggesting Natalie may be retiring.
“Monique is so excellent – I love how much they are using her on the weekday show now,” one fan gushed further Media spy.
‘Could she be next? [to become host] and Nat’s retiring soon?’ someone asked.
However, a devoted Sunrise enthusiast dismissed the rumors.
“I don’t see Nat retiring anytime soon,” they wrote.
“Sunrise is just doing what they’ve always done: building a strong b-team so presenters can easily get in and out without missing a beat.
Sunrise fans are speculating that co-host Natalie Barr (pictured) is preparing for retirement
Barr, 56, is currently in Washington DC reporting on the presidential election, while reporter Monique Wright guest-hosts alongside Matt Shirvington
‘Although I think Mon is great, I personally think she is happier at the weekend and just fills in where needed.
The user then weighed in on his preferred replacement if Nat were to ever retire.
“I think the eventual replacement will come in the form of someone younger, like Sarah Greenhalgh or Teegan Dolling (later of course),” she added.
Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.
Nat has served as Guest Chair at Sunrise since 2021, following the resignation of Samantha Armytage.
Monique (right) normally hosts the weekend Sunrise, but has switched to weekday duties this week. Pictured with Matt Shirvington
And as Monique replaces Natalie at Channel Seven’s breakfast show studio in Sydney, viewers are suggesting Natalie’s retirement is on the horizon.
It comes after Natalie had an embarrassing moment with Joe Biden on the eve of the US election.
She was at the White House Tuesday when Marine One — the helicopter carrying the president — landed on the South Lawn.
As Biden exited Marine One and walked to the Oval Office, Nat tried to ask the president if he was sorry for calling Trump supporters “trash.”
Nat has served as Guest Chair at Sunrise since 2021, following the resignation of Samantha Armytage. Pictured: Nat and Matt at the 2024 Logie Awards
President Biden ignored the question, which Nat claimed to have heard because she was “pretty loud.”
“He (President Biden) kind of put his head down and looked away from us,” Nat said.
Photos show President Biden appearing unimpressed after the meeting.
“Other reporters were shouting questions too, but mine was quite loud. He just put his head down and headed for the Oval. Ignored me,” Nat said.
Co-hosts Monique and Matt mocked that Nat’s hair went wild when the president’s helicopter landed.
‘Okay, it’s really windy. We’re so close, the president is over there somewhere,” Nat laughed.
“This is about as close as you can get to the President of the United States. Joe Biden. Right there.”
Monique and Matt joked that President Biden ignored Nat because he looked at her as she almost got blown out of the helicopter.
Despite the wind, the Sunrise presenter described the experience as ‘one of the most exciting moments’ of her life.
Sunrise host Natalie Barr has had an embarrassing moment with US President Joe Biden on the eve of the US election
“Cam, the cameraman and I were out there, and I couldn’t believe I was there,” Nat said.
“They let you in, all those hard-pass journalists who are here all the time. It’s like another day at the office for them. I was shaking with excitement.
“You’ve seen this in movies, on the news, in reports all over the world, and I thought, ‘Wow, I’m here!’ My hairpiece almost fell out. It was a bit of a disaster, but I was there.”
