Billionaire Adrian Portelli has turned controversy into charity, donating $50,000 to charity after a stunt involving Nine’s Alex Cullen went south.
Portelli, eager to ditch his “Lambo Guy” label, offered the cash to the first TV journalist to call him “McLaren Man.” Cullen took the bait during a lighthearted exchange on Today with Karl Stefanovic last Friday, only to face disciplinary action from Nine soon after.
The network immediately sidelined the host, releasing a statement to the media saying they were arranging for the money to be returned to Portelli, adding they were taking the matter “very seriously”.
The incident has now taken a new twist, with Portelli announcing on social media that he will be donating the money to charity.
Adrian Portelli has shared details of the $50,000 donation to The Salvation Army and RSPCA.
Portelli went on to revealed that the donation was suggested by Cullen.
“Alex Cullen… on behalf of you, mate, $25,000 to the Salvation Army and $25,000 to the RSPCA,” Portelli wrote on Instagram.
“I’ve kept pretty quiet about what unfolded with Alex, but even before he’d heard from Ch9, we had a conversation where he expressed his desire to donate the money. That speaks volumes about his character. Alex, you’re an absolute gentleman.”
Cullen, meanwhile, has enjoyed a groundswell of support from viewers, who have taken to social media to express their anger at the decision by Nine to stand him down.
Nine is yet to comment on Cullen’s future at the network.
Pictured: Alex Cullen