Channel Seven star Rob Brough has revealed the heartbreaking reason he disappeared from screens last August amid rumours he had been axed.

Speculation had been rife that the veteran news anchor, 70, had been axed amid the staff cuts that swept through the network in 2024.

The well-known Queensland journalist has disclosed that he has taken extended leave to be there for his daughter, Jess Willmott, who is currently fighting aggressive brain cancer.

‘About four years ago our daughter Jess was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was pretty confronting,’ he told ABC Sunshine Coast radio on Tuesday.

‘We got to a tough stage where things weren’t working and not a lot of options were available,’ he explained.

‘It was just an easy choice for me to leave work and spend as much time as I could around her and her family.’

Channel Seven star Rob Brough has revealed the heartbreaking reason he disappeared from screens last August

Brough said he has devoted his time to helping raise Jess’ three children, Indigo, Milla and Madden.

‘That’s a beautiful thing because bringing up your children and then being a part of your grandchildren’s upbringing is as good as it gets,’ he said.

The TV star also suffered heartbreak almost three decades ago when his three-year-old son Sam suddenly died.

In his absence, Nathan Spurling and Joanne Desmond have taken over Brough’s role for Seven’s regional broadcasts on the Sunshine Coast and in Cairns.

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

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 coveted 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.

The popular Queensland journo revealed he’s been on extended leave to support his daughter Jess Willmott as she battles aggressive brain cancer

It 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.

One individual mentioned on an Australian forum that someone from the 7 Sunshine Coast studio had commented that Brough isn’t favored by many of the staff. This, coupled with Channel 7’s recent decision to let go of several QLD newsreaders, has led to speculation about his potential retirement.

Another user on the thread expressed their concern, saying, ‘What’s happening with Rob? He’s our preferred newsreader and the main reason we tune into 7 News. If he’s not returning, then that’s a loss for us…’