Mike Munro, one of the veterans in Nine’s news and current affairs, has resigned from the network after 22 years.

The former reporter on 60 Minutes and A Current Affair had told David Gyngell, the CEO, that he had resigned from the network, and told The Daily Telegraph that he was taking an early retirement after five tumultuous years at the network.

He also made it clear that his decision was made well before the network axed Sunday and Nightline last Friday. Gyngell accepted Munro’s decision, but asked him to return as a freelance contributor in the future.

He does not leave until October 31, with Munro continuing to host Missing Persons Unit, the weekend news and the new series of This Is Your Life - airing later this year.