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Bill Woods: “There are far worse things in life than losing your job”

After 24 years with TEN a very pragmatic Bill Woods can still put things into perspective.

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A very pragmatic Bill Woods reflects on his exit from Network TEN today in a piece written for News Limited.

Woods was given notice last Monday after 24 years, despite TEN saying two days earlier he had not been sacked. He insists his article is no epitaph and he has “a stack of things I still want to do” and plenty of energy to do them.

“Let’s be honest. TV hosts should be fairly low on the sympathy scale, so I am eternally grateful to all the very nice people who gave up some of their time to support someone so thoroughly undeserving. I won’t say I’ve never met them because I have. I’ve talked to them as honestly and thoughtfully and enthusiastically as I can about thousands of things that I hoped were interesting, important and sometimes amusing.

“There’s been heartbreak. It’s never easy trying to tell the stories of victims of the Victorian bushfires or Christchurch earthquake without intruding on what is left of their broken lives. I admit I have abandoned opportunities for “scoops” over the years because I’d rather disappoint a producer than deprive someone of their dignity. I guess that doesn’t look too good on my CV but there you go.

“Going back in recent years to the news desk, where my career started, has been sobering – a relentless reminder that there are far worse things in life than losing your job. Besides, I’m still working for a couple of weeks. So it would be utterly absurd for me to have even the slightest pang of self-pity. Only once did the outpouring of public sentiment and goodwill bring a few tears.”

He finishes on November 30.

You can read the rest here.

8 Responses

  1. Journalism viewed from an especially diverse set of lens. I’ve seen Ten news only a handful of times for that reason unable to comment on Bill’s character. Conversely, he’s handled his redundancy with class and style. While the termination of his employment isn’t easy to digest, he has successfully conveyed how he’s in touch with reality and acknowledges there are far bigger defeats going on in the World.

    There are many “actors and actresses” who really should absorb some of their wisdom instead of bad mouthing former employers which in turn compromises relations with future employers.

    May Bill and Helen demonstrate how success is truly the best revenge.

  2. Bill’s Herald article describes him through and through. Those who have worked with him will agree he’s a great TV presenter and a great guy into the bargain.

    I wish him every good fortune, but I’m sure he won’t need any luck. He’ll be snapped up before you know it.

  4. Good things happen to good people and Bill is one of them.
    Opportunity will knock. Have a great break Bill in the meantime, and when that knock comes, open the door!

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