EXCLUSIVE
Sacked weatherman Paul Burt fired off a farewell missive to Seven Network staff two days after he took an extraordinary parting shot at the TV station live-on-air.
Burt, who worked at Seven for more than a decade and has spent 28 years on television, was dumped without warning amid a brutal round of redundancies.
The 51-year-old's departure upset some loyal viewers who expressed their outrage on social media and fans turned out with placards for one of Burt's last live crosses at Surfers Paradise Beach.
Now Daily Mail Australia has obtained an email Burt sent to workmates following his last broadcast where he argued he had a track record of giving Queensland audiences the weather updates they 'deserved'.
'Hey everyone, never thought I'd be writing this email anytime soon, but here we go,' Burt wrote on Monday afternoon.
'First and foremost, I want to say thank you to everyone who I have worked directly with, you have all been incredibly awesome and do sensational jobs and deserve far more recognition than you get.
'Secondly, those who reached out to me after the news over the weekend and today to "check in" on me and pass on your kind words, wow, it's been very humbling so thank you.'
An insider at Seven has told Daily Mail Australia that Burt was let go because he was not popular with focus groups polled in the first quarter of this year.
Sacked weatherman Paul 'Burty' Burt has been overwhelmed by messages of support from senior Seven Network staff after sending a heartfelt farewell to his former colleagues. Burt is pictured delivering his final report on July 27
'Paul Burt was sacked after extensive audience research across the Queensland market that identified he was one of the least-liked presenters on-air, with the dreaded 'switch-off' factor,' the source said.
'Networks spend a fortune on polling and focus groups to identify emerging talent and test long-serving presenters.The audience decides who reads the news.'
Burt rejected that research and said in his email that 'I'm just a guy who loved to tell the weather "my way", no fancy BS, just fisho to fisho, boaty to boaty style, just as we deserve.
'Not over produced - just giving the best up to date reports on coastal conditions to those in our local community, those we share the water with or pass on a jetty flicking a line with their kids - our audience.'
Seven West Media, which also owns the West Australian newspaper, is slashing 150 staff in a bloodbath which has claimed other big names includingBrisbane newsreader Sharyn Ghidella.
Seven West Media is slashing 150 staff in a round of redundancies which has claimed other big names including Brisbane newsreader Sharyn Ghidella. Burt is pictured far left with former Seven colleagues
The network's Queensland operations manager Craig Dyer announced his immediate resignation in June after more than 20 years with Seven.
Others forced to depart the Brisbane studio at Mount Coot-Tha were two cameramen, a news producer, and a long-serving technical employee.
One of the cameramen was reportedly called back to the office while he was shooting an assignment and told his services were no longer needed.
Burt, who was based on the Gold Coast but provided weather reports across Queensland, referred to Ghidella, Dyer and other departing staff in his email.
'What I did for the past 28 years I loved,' he wrote.
'Delivering information regarding the field I loved and lucky enough to share the screen with some of the biggest names on TV and form friendships with them and the dedicated, experienced hard working people behind the scenes.
'Thank you for that.
'We have moved into a digital era. I would have been proud to have been involved in this digital change but unfortunately that's not the case nor a choice I had.
'I love the network and like our viewers loved the 7 way. When you get staunch Ch7 people ... moved on... kind of says something in my world.'
His sign-off read: 'On that note, see on the water one day and to those who want to, let's stay in touch. Burty'.
Burt finished his last weather segment on Saturday with a pointed message to Seven management and viewers.
'If I'd had the opportunity I wouldn't have wanted to go this way - it's what happens when you get sacked,' he said at the end ofQueensland's 6pm news bulletin.
The previous night, a crowd of supporters turned out at Surfers Paradise as Burt did a live cross for the Gold Coast 5.30pm bulletin.
While Burt was giving his weekend weather outlook, fans held placards declaring 'Burty's a legend', 'Qld's favourite weatherman' and 'Bring back Burty'.
Burt told Daily Mail Australia if Seven had conducted research which found he was not popular with Queensland audiences the network should find new researchers.
'I mean, these people are going to try and cover their backs,' he said.
'I think if they're looking at numbers like that, they might want to change the people who are giving them those numbers.
'Because I'm on the ground, I hear what people say and I understand what they want. I've been doing it now for 28 years.'
Burt posted a video thanking viewers for their loyalty which was posted on the I Love Robina Facebook page and has received 60,000 views. He is picturd at Surfers Paradise on July 26
Burt said Queensland had unique weather patterns which regularly included life-threatening events such as cyclones and severe flooding.
'I think it's got to be understood the network put us in all of these places when cyclones were being covered,' he said.
'When the weather turned really horrible they wanted boots on the ground to get information back to the people at home.'
Queensland audiences also had a particular reliance on accurate weather updates so they could pursue outdoor leisure activities such as boating and fishing.
'People see us everywhere we go,' Burt said.
'People see us at the boat ramp. People see us out fishing. People see us at the beaches.'
Seven's Brisbane news director Michael Coombes told Burt last month his contract would not be renewed. Word of his sacking was leaked before Burt could tell his wife and children.
Burt began his television career at Seven in 1996, before being poached by Ten then Nine, and in 2013 was lured back to the network where started in the industry.
'Don't get me wrong, I really admire the network,' he said. I love the network. I truly do.
'Unfortunately, I just think at this point in time, things could have been handled a bit differently in certain sectors of the newsroom.'
Seven's recently appointed news and current affairs boss Anthony De Ceglie has been replacing sections leaders across the country with younger managers.
He has also introduced a Friday night comedy spot and astrology to the news.
Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide all have fresh news directors, and new executive producers have been put in charge of Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise and Spotlight.
