Alex Cullen breaks silence on shock Today show axing amid fallout from $50,000 Adrian Portelli gift: 'This has been a very difficult time'
Alex Cullen breaks silence on shock Today show axing amid fallout from $50,000 Adrian Portelli gift: 'This has been a very difficult time'
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Alex Cullen has broken his silence after Nine Network axed the Today star for accepting a $50,000 gift from The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli. The TV presenter, 44, accepted the eye-watering sum after he was the first media personality to use Portelli's self-proclaimed nickname 'McLaren Man' live on-air last week—sparking a firestorm.
![[The TV presenter accepted the eye-watering sum after he was the first media personality to use Portelli's, 35, (pictured) self-proclaimed nickname 'McLaren Man' live on air last week—sparking a firestorm]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/23/94369119-14325733-image-a-37_1737848754443.jpg)
On Sunday, after it was revealed Cullen was let go for the incident, the father-of-three admitted in an Instagram post that his exit from the Nine breakfast show has been 'difficult'. He shared an image with his fans of himself and his son Max, one, enjoying a ride on a Ferris wheel overlooking the sea.
![[On Sunday, after it was revealed Cullen was let go for the incident, the father-of-three admitted in an Instagram post that his exit from the Nine breakfast show has been 'difficult'. Pictured with his son Max, one]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/23/94517997-14325733-On_Sunday_after_it_was_revealed_Cullen_was_let_go_for_the_incide-a-4_1737849057359.jpg)
In the caption, he thanked the fans who reached out to him and said he will 'miss' working with his co-stars on Today. 'A quick note from me. This has been a very difficult time and I just want to say thank you to all the wonderful people who reached out,' he said.
![[Today host Karl Stefanovic announced live on-air on Friday morning that Cullen had left the network following the incident with Portelli]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/20/94451835-14319011-image-a-20_1737665111473.jpg)
Alex Cullen, 44, (pictured) has broken his silence after Nine Network axed the Today star for accepting a $50,000 gift from The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli. Cullen added: 'It means the world to me and my young family. I will miss my colleagues at Today and wish them the best.
![[Portelli responded to the scandal on Instagram just before Cullen's axing was announced, vowing to find a job for the Today show presenter if he was let go from the network]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/20/94335693-14319011-On_Tuesday_Portelli_also_defended_Cullen_and_claimed_he_intended-a-1_1737665501839.jpg)
'Thank you again and I look forward to whatever comes next.'. Today host Karl Stefanovic announced live on-air on Friday morning that Cullen had left the network following the incident with Portelli. 'As most of you are well aware, our colleague Alex Cullen has not been on air with us this past week,' a solemn Stefanovic told viewers.
