Channel Seven has addressed rumours over the fate of veteran news anchor Rob Brough after the popular Queensland journo disappeared from screens last August.

Speculation was rife that the 70-year-old long-term Seven identity had been axed amid the staff cuts that swept through the network in 2024.

Seven took to social media this month to announce that Brough is on extended leave.

According to a post on the 7News Wide Bay Facebook page, reported by the Courier-Mail on Monday, Brough has not left the station, but is instead taking personal leave.

Meanwhile, Brough’s chair for Seven’s regional bulletins on the Sunshine Coast, including Cairns, has been filled by Nathan Spurling and Joanne Desmond.

The pair also co-anchor the news for Townsville, Rockhampton and Toowoomba.

Channel Seven has addressed rumours over the fate of veteran news anchor Rob Brough (pictured) after the popular Queensland journo disappeared from screens last August

Speculation was rife that the 70-year-old long-term Seven identity had been axed amid the staff cuts that swept through the network in 2024

The news comes after fans began commenting online about Brough’s absence.

A thread on Reddit, posted soon after Brough took leave, suggested the newsreader may have had a falling out with staff.

‘There was a guy who works at the 7 Sunshine Coast studio posting in one of the Aussie subs not that long ago that Broughy isn’t liked anymore by most of the staff, that combined with Channel 7 recently axing a lot of their QLD newsreaders makes me wonder if he’s going to be shown the forced retirement door soon,’ a user posted.

A third posted on the Reddit thread, ‘So what is going on with Rob ? He is our favourite newsreader, the only reason we watch 7 News, and if he isn’t coming back, well that’s that…’

Daily Mail has reached out to Seven for comment.

Brough began his career in radio in the 1970s before moving into television roles with ABC and Channel Nine.

His profile surged when he landed the prize role of game show host on Seven’s ratings hit Family Feud in 1990.

Brough was replaced in 1995 and later returned to presenting regional bulletins for Seven in Queensland.

Brough’s chair for Seven’s regional bulletins on the Sunshine Coast, including Cairns, has been taken over by Nathan Spurling and Joanne Desmond (pictured)

Brough began his career in radio in the 1970s before moving into television roles with ABC and Channel Nine