'Get ready for the fallout!'

The shock exit of the TV network’s big boss has left a swathe of its star presenters facing the axe

A posse of Nine’s highest-paid stars, including Karl Stefanovic, 46, Richard Wilkins, 66, and Georgie Gardner, could be shown the door following the shock resignation of the network’s CEO Hugh Marks after an office affair went public earlier this month.

In the top job for five years, Hugh reportedly went out of his way to protect his network “pets”. Now rumours abound that the select few – who have been dubbed the “untouchables” and include The Block’s Scotty Cam, 57, and 60 Minutes veteran reporters Tara Brown, 52, and Liz Hayes, 64, – could face huge pay cuts and drastic contract changes, or risk losing their jobs.

“There’s a few people right now sh*tting themselves walking the corridors at Nine knowing their entrusted leader is gone,” an industry insider tells Woman’s Day. “As long as Hugh was around they had six-figure paychecks, generous bonuses and plenty of kickbacks, but all that could come to a screaming halt once his replacement is announced.”