Kerri-Lee Halkett is leaving Fox 29
Kerri-Lee Halkett is leaving Fox 29. The anchorbabe, who started at the station in 2002, has been off-air for several weeks with what she has told colleagues is a skin rash. A station spokeswoman told us tonight that Halkett is expected to return to work in the second week of October for a final broadcast and a big on-air sendoff.
Kerri-Lee Halkett is leaving Fox 29
Dan Gross
Kerri-Lee Halkett is leaving Fox 29.
The anchorbabe, who started at the station in 2002, has been off-air for several weeks with what she has told colleagues is a skin rash. A station spokeswoman told us tonight that Halkett is expected to return to work in the second week of October for a final broadcast and a big on-air sendoff.
“Philly will always feel like home, and I will never forget how welcome you have all made me feel. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Philadelphia,” Halkett said in a prepared statement Wednesday evening.
While her statement gave no reason for her departure and she did not return repeated requests for comment, Halkett has told colleagues that she was planning to move to Connecticut where her husband Kirt Mayland, an attorney, lives. Halkett and her 5-year-old son from a previous marriage spend weekends in Connecticut.
“Kerri Lee is a talented journalist and we will miss her passion and enthusiasm for the news," said Fox 29 VP/GM Patrick Paolini in a statement this evening.
Halkett, who won a 2009 Mid-Atlantic Emmy award for Best Anchor, helped launch the 11 a.m. newscast, and the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts for the station. She also co-anchored the “Good Day Philadelphia” morning show for several years. The anchor, born in Victoria, British Columbia, is a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and has formerly worked in Boston and Washington, DC.
Best news anchors ever in this town were JILL CHERNEKOFF and RICH NOONAN. Couldn't believe it when 29 got rid of them. Joyce Evans is the absolute pits, but HER they keep.— catharine_christian_carpenter
Comment removed.- I think that she did a nice job, and wish her the best.— Berwyn Bob
- Comment removed.
- Gee I was getting use to seeing one TV station that was not putting the blonds brigade on the 5p and 6p news.Sigh!Jill Chenekoff was a great newscaster. Eddie Fisher? You my mother said you should never say anything about the dead unless it's good. He's dead...GOOD!— vrb1955
- I wonder what nationality her replacement will be...— phillyflava
- I like her. I'll miss Kerri-Lee Hellcat.— dglass1
- the new anchor is a dud. good luck Kerri-Lee— hamburg
IF YOU DONT HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY ABOUT HER THEN DONT SAY IT— Crow- Allen Was, the person you are talking about is Lauren Cohn. She was on Philly TV years ago as an anchor/reporter for NBC 10.— Julius May
- WOW! DANNO: 43 comments. A 2010 record. Were you giving away free foot longs?
KING~out— thee~KING - WHAT WILL JOHN B DO NOW FOR EYE CANDY POOR JOHN— bigdaddyft
- A personal life is more important than a professional life anytime, especially with a child involved. Good move Kerri-Lee. As for Fox, they will survive and find someone equal if not better. And life will go on.— phillytransplant
- Bolaris is probabaly really upset. Maybe he'll go to CT with her.— Joseph DeSantis
- I will also miss Kerri-Lee as I am a regular Phili-FOX 10PM viewer.
I think she did a great job with Thomas as partner. I'm proud of her
move in favor of her personal life. Life is too short to burden ourselves with being away from the ones we love or to listen to cynics like we see posting here...— Ron_E_B
