Alex Cullen: $50K Controversy, Career Fallout, and 7NEWS Return

There aren’t many Australian TV careers that have taken as sharp a turn as Alex Cullen’s. In early 2025, the well-known Today Show presenter found himself at the centre of a media storm after accepting $50,000 from billionaire Adrian Portelli — a decision that cost him his job at Nine, only to return to Channel 7 months later in one of the year’s most surprising comebacks.

Born: 28 November 1980 · Age: 44 (as of 2025) · Children: 3 · Current role: Presenter and reporter at 7NEWS (since 2025) · Previous role: Presenter at Gold FM’s Christian O’Connell Show · Known for: Journalism and TV presenting

Nine key facts about Alex Cullen, from his birth to his current role:

What happened with Alex Cullen?

The $50,000 payment from billionaire Adrian Portelli

In early 2025, Alex Cullen was removed from Nine’s Today show after he accepted A$50,000 from billionaire Adrian Portelli — a payment tied to Cullen using the nickname “McLaren Guy” on air. The incident, widely dubbed the “Lambo Guy” controversy, sparked immediate fallout. Variety Australia (entertainment and media trade publication) reported that Nine initially stood Cullen down while it reviewed the incident.

Nine initially stood Cullen down while it reviewed the incident.

— Variety Australia

Departure from Nine Network

After the internal review, Cullen ultimately left Nine. TV Blackbox confirmed the exit. Cullen later described the period as “the toughest week of my career by a country mile,” according to Variety Australia. He admitted he made a mistake and should have thought through the on-air nickname more carefully.

The implication: a single lapse in judgment, compounded by the public nature of the payment, forced Nine to act swiftly. For Cullen, the cost was a job he had held for five years.

Where is Alex Cullen now?

Return to Channel 7 in 2025

In July 2025, Seven confirmed Cullen’s return to the network. TV Blackbox reported that Seven was one of the first outlets to call Cullen after the Nine exit and offer support. Now To Love (Australian entertainment and lifestyle publication) noted that the return was a major second chance.

Current role at 7NEWS

According to Profile Talent Management (talent agency representing Cullen), he works as a presenter and reporter for 7NEWS, based in Melbourne. His role also includes special projects and live news updates. A New Idea (Australian women’s magazine) report suggested Cullen would host a 3pm afternoon show for Seven, though that has not been officially confirmed.

What this means: Cullen’s second chance at Seven will test his resilience and the audience’s willingness to forgive.

Why is Alex Cullen not on the Today Show?

The Today Show departure

Cullen had been a presenter on the Today show for five years before the controversy. New Idea reported that his departure was directly linked to the $50,000 payment. The network’s decision to stand him down and then part ways was swift.

Connection to the $50,000 controversy

The payment from Adrian Portelli — the so-called “Lambo Guy” — was the catalyst. 7 News Australia YouTube (news coverage from the network that later hired him) framed the fallout as a major news story. For Cullen, the connection was clear: accept the money, use the nickname, and face the consequences.

The pattern: a single transaction between a billionaire and a TV presenter upended a long-standing career at Australia’s biggest commercial network.

Why did Alex Cullen leave Gold FM?

Brief stint at Gold FM

After leaving Nine, Cullen joined Gold FM’s Christian O’Connell Show in Melbourne in 2025. Profile Talent Management confirms this role. It was a transitional move back into media following the Nine exit.

Reasons for leaving

Cullen left Gold FM in 2025, likely because of his return to Channel 7. New Idea reported that he moved to Melbourne after the controversy and returned to radio before his TV comeback. The departure from Gold FM appears to have been a natural step as television work resumed.

The catch: radio was a safe harbour, but TV was always the goal. Cullen’s move back to Seven suggests he never intended to stay out of the spotlight for long.

What is Alex Cullen known for?

Career in journalism

Alex Cullen is an Australian journalist and television presenter. He began his career in the early 2000s. Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) lists his birth date as 28 November 1980 and his birthplace as Dubbo, New South Wales. Before his mainstream TV roles, he worked on Seven’s Sunday Night program, according to Profile Talent Management.

Television presenting

His most prominent role came at the Nine Network, where he co-presented the Today show. He later moved to Gold FM and then back to Channel 7. Variety Australia described his 2025 return as a “comeback” after a high-profile exit.

Personal life

Cullen is married and has three children. His Instagram bio, as cited in media reports, describes him as “Husband, father of 3, presenter at Christian O’Connell Show and 7NEWS.” His spouse’s name has not been publicly disclosed.

Husband, father of 3, presenter at Christian O’Connell Show and 7NEWS.

— Alex Cullen’s Instagram bio, as cited in media reports

For someone in the public eye, Cullen has kept his family life relatively private. The balance between a high-stakes career and a growing family is a recurring theme in his story.

Quotes from Alex Cullen

I made a mistake and should have thought through the on-air nickname more carefully.

— Alex Cullen, as reported by Variety Australia

It was the toughest week of my career by a country mile.

— Alex Cullen, as reported by Variety Australia

For Alex Cullen, the 2025 comeback is more than a career move — it’s a chance to rewrite the narrative. For Australian television audiences, the question is whether a single mistake should define a journalist’s legacy. The answer, so far, is that second chances are still available in the industry — but they come with a permanent asterisk.

Frequently asked questions