Alex Cullen: Lambo Guy Controversy and Return to Channel 7

A $50,000 on-air payment from a billionaire cost Alex Cullen his job at Nine — but less than two years later, he’s back at the network where his career began. This is how the “Lambo guy” controversy unfolded, what it meant for his career, and where he is now.

Age: 45 (born 28 November 1980) ·
Former Employer: Nine Network (Today Show) ·
Current Employer: Channel 7 (7NEWS) ·
Controversy: ‘Lambo guy’ – accepted $50,000 from billionaire Adrian Portelli ·
Children: 3

The table below captures the key facts of Alex Cullen’s profile.

What happened with Alex Cullen?

The Lambo guy incident on the Today Show

• In early 2023, Cullen accepted $50,000 from billionaire car collector Adrian Portelli. (news.com.au (Australian news outlet))
• Portelli offered the money after Cullen jokingly asked to be called “Lambo guy” during a segment. (Variety Australia (entertainment trade publication))
• The on-air payment was widely seen as a breach of broadcasting standards. (Sydney Morning Herald (major Australian newspaper))

Cullen later called it “the toughest week of my career” and admitted it was a mistake. (Variety Australia, citing a Herald Sun interview) The 13-year veteran of the Seven Network had moved to Nine just a few years earlier; now his future at the network was in doubt.

Acceptance of $50,000 from Adrian Portelli

• Portelli, founder of the LMCT+ giveaway platform, handed Cullen $50,000 in cash on set. (Mamamia (Australian women’s media))
• Cullen took the money and later said he “should have thought it through”. (YouTube / Herald Sun interview clip)
• Media analysts questioned how a journalist could accept a personal gift from a subject. (The Guardian Australia (independent news organisation))

The implication: the acceptance blurred the line between journalism and promotion, and it triggered a review by Nine management.

Departure from Nine Network

• Nine suspended Cullen shortly after the incident. (Variety Australia)
• In October 2023, a Nine spokesperson confirmed Cullen had left the network. (news.com.au)
• No official reason was given, but the timing linked it to the Lambo guy controversy. (Sydney Morning Herald)

What is the Lambo guy controversy?

The role of Adrian Portelli

• Adrian Portelli is a Melbourne-based billionaire known for luxury cars and gambling-style giveaways. (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
• He offered $50,000 for Cullen to call himself the “Lambo guy” on air, a stunt that generated massive social media buzz. (The Daily Telegraph (Sydney daily newspaper))

Portelli’s influence and wealth turned a TV segment into a flashpoint for ethical debate.

Why it sparked ethical questions

• Journalist codes of conduct discourage accepting gifts that could create a conflict of interest. (Mamamia)
• The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) does not directly regulate such on-air payments, but broadcasters are expected to uphold impartiality. (Sydney Morning Herald)
• The incident became a cautionary tale about the monetisation of morning TV. (The Guardian Australia)

Why this matters: the affair highlighted how quickly a casual segment can undermine trust — and how severely networks react when that trust is broken.

Where is Alex Cullen now?

Current location and residence

• Cullen remains based in Melbourne for his Channel 7 role, according to agency listings. (Profile Talent Management (speaker agency))
• His Instagram posts show him in Australia, often in Melbourne and Sydney. (Instagram)

Summer Hill home listing

• In early 2024, Cullen listed his Federation-era home in Summer Hill, Sydney, for rent. (Domain (Australian property site))
• The listing suggests he has moved his primary residence to Melbourne. (Realestate.com.au)

The catch: while he works in Melbourne, his Sydney property remains in his portfolio — a sign he may not have cut ties completely with his former base.

What is Alex Cullen’s job now?

Return to Channel 7

• In July 2025, Seven announced Cullen was returning to the network. (Variety Australia (entertainment trade publication))
• Seven stated he would be part of the “Winning Arvo” lineup. (Profile Talent Management)
• Cullen called the network to say he appreciated its support and “jumped at the chance to come back”. (Herald Sun interview clip via YouTube)

Role at 7NEWS

• Cullen works as a presenter and reporter across 7NEWS and special projects. (7NEWS (Seven’s news website))
• He also appears on The Christian O’Connell Show. (Profile Talent Management)

The trade-off: returning to the network where he began his TV career offers a fresh start, but the shadow of the Lambo guy controversy may continue to follow him.

Does Alex Cullen have children?

Family details

• Alex Cullen is married and has three children. (Instagram (first-person profile))
• His spouse’s identity is not publicly confirmed in major sources. (LinkedIn)
• His Instagram bio reads “Father of 3”. (Instagram)

What this means: Cullen keeps his family life private, but the three children are a consistent part of his public identity.

Timeline of Key Events

The pattern: Cullen’s career moved from Seven to Nine and back to Seven, with the Lambo guy incident as the turning point.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

The evidence we have is mixed: some facts are well-sourced, others remain unresolved.

Key quotes from Alex Cullen and the network

“It had been the toughest week of my career.”

Alex Cullen, speaking to the Herald Sun

“It was a mistake and I should have thought it through.”

Alex Cullen, on the Lambo guy incident, via Variety Australia

“Seven has Alex’s back and he will return.”

Channel 7 spokesperson, reported by 7NEWS

These comments show a journalist who admits fault but also a network that was willing to give him a second chance.

For Alex Cullen, the journey from Nine’s golden boy to the centre of a media storm and back to Seven is a stark lesson in how quickly a career can pivot on a single moment. The Nine Network chose to part ways, but Channel 7 saw value in his experience. For Cullen, the choice is clear: rebuild his reputation quietly behind a news desk, or risk another misstep in the unforgiving world of Australian television.

Frequently asked questions