Jessica Gomes, Jason Dundas and Emma Freedman with Donna Player Source: News Corp Australia

Nine yesterday confirmed the 25-year-old would be made redundant from her position on Weekend Today, sparking a huge wave of support for the young presenter and calls for Nine to reinstate her.

Freedman’s father Lee was the first to lash out at the network, before retweeting dozens of tweets from her fans and shocked viewers.

But it wasn’t just viewers that were upset over the move, with at least one Nine insider declaring it “a stupid decision”.

“She’s really well-liked and was a talent here,” the well-placed television insider said, after Freedman confirmed on Twitter she was departing the network.

Another colleague said many of the staff at Nine were incredulous that Freedman had been kicked to the television curb.

Jessica Gomes and Emma Freedman Source: News Corp Australia

Emma Freedman. Source: News Corp Australia

A separate, senior Nine source confirmed Freedman’s axing had nothing to do with performance, but plenty to do with money. “It was all about budget,” the source said.

A Nine spokeswoman told Sydney Confidential yesterday: “Emma’s contract is up at the end of the month and we are not renewing it”.

The insider went on further to say the network would not be searching for an outsider to replace Freedman for the 2015 television season.

Emma Freedman. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis Source: News Corp Australia

“We’re not going out to find a new Emma,” the source said, adding that there were several experienced weather presenters and reporters working at Nine who would be considered for the job next year.

“But at this point there isn’t a name,” the source added.

Freedman, 25, had become a household name because of her appearances on Nine.

The bubbly presenter, who worked on Weekend Today as the weather presenter and occasionally filled in for Steve Jacobs during the week, had also become widely known as a face of racing coverage.

Emma Freedman. Picture: Tony Gough Source: News Corp Australia

Emma Freedman. Picture; Tony Gough Source: News Corp Australia

While Freedman opted not to comment further when contacted by The Daily Telegraph yesterday, she tweeted that she was “staying classy” amid the controversy.