As told on the Rumour File on 6PR Breakfast this morning, Basil Zempilas will be replaced by Ryan Daniels reading sport on Channel Seven News from Monday to Friday.

TV Spy told Gareth Parker that the official reason is that the Lord Mayor has chosen to step aside to focus on his public duties, but he will return for other projects at Seven like the Olympic Games and Telethon.

Peter Ford confirmed the rumour in the Entertainment segment stating that Seven’s flagship bulletin’s main presenters Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr were told last week that this was about to happen.

“I’m assuming the plan was to announce (the change) on-air tonight. I mean, he can’t just disappear without saying something after 21 years and have nobody notice,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear the full confirmation by Peter Ford