Mel McLaughlin
Melanie McLaughlin | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 3, 1979 Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation | Sports broadcaster |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Known for | Sports presenting and hosting at Seven Network, Fox Sports, Network Ten |
Melanie Louise McLaughlin (born 3 September 1979) is an Australian sports broadcaster currently affiliated with the Seven Network. Her previous experience includes working at Fox Sports, where she hosted football-related programs such as Kick Off, the Indian Super League, and Fox Sports FC, while also frequently appearing on Fox Sports News.
Career
McLaughlin commenced her media journey in 2005 at Radio 2, before transitioning to a reporting and presenting role at Sky News Sydney.
In 2007, she became part of Fox Sports, where she presented soccer shows including Kick Off, Indian Super League, and Fox Sports FC. She was also a regular contributor to Fox Sports News during this period.
By 2013, McLaughlin had joined Network Ten, taking on hosting duties for the Big Bash League as well as coverage of significant sporting events such as the 2014 Winter Olympics, the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and the Australian Grand Prix. Additionally, she co-hosted The Thursday Night Sport Show and occasionally served as a fill-in sports presenter on Ten Eyewitness News Sydney.
In a notable incident during the 2016 Big Bash League, cricketer Chris Gayle directed inappropriate remarks toward McLaughlin in an interview, which led to a fine of AUD 10,000 imposed on Gayle.
April 2016 marked McLaughlin’s move to the Seven Network, where she took over as the weeknight sports presenter on Seven News Sydney, succeeding Jim Wilson. Her hosting responsibilities expanded to include Seven's coverage of events such as the 2016 Summer Olympics, the 2018 Winter Olympics, the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Australian Swimming Championships, and the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. She has also stepped in as sports presenter on Sunrise and Seven Morning News.
In 2018, McLaughlin was named host for Seven's Test Cricket and Big Bash League broadcasts, working alongside James Brayshaw.
Personal life
Born in Sydney in September 1979, McLaughlin is the daughter of an Anglo-Indian mother and an English father who emigrated to Australia in 1978.
She was raised in Quakers Hill, New South Wales and attended both St Andrew's Primary School and St John Paul II Catholic College.
McLaughlin was married to Australian actor Luke Panic between 2012 and 2014. She is currently partnered with British former footballer Ashley Westwood. Motivated by personal loss following her sister’s death from lung cancer, she acts as an ambassador for the Lung Foundation Australia.