He went from Channel Seven's 'golden boy' to branded a 'blockhead' by critics after allegedly 'offending' Adele by failing to listen to her album before their exclusive interview two weeks ago.
And Matt Doran looked rather anxious in photos taken just days before he flew to London for his exclusive chat with the British singer.
Joined by his Weekend Today producer fiancée Kendall Bora, the Weekend Sunrise co-host, 37, appeared noticeably drawn as the pair visited a cafe in Sydney's Waterloo.
Go easy on me, Adele! Channel Seven reporter Matt Doran, 37 (right) looked stressed on a coffee run with his fiancée Kendall Bora (left) just days before his car-crash interview with the British singer this month
Perhaps feeling stressed about his impending Adele interview, Matt failed to raise a smile during the coffee run.
Meanwhile, a concerned-looking Kendall was seen comforting Matt by gently placing her hand on his back and stroking his cheek.
The couple were dressed down for the occasion, with Matt sporting a grey button-up shirt and jeans.
Soothing touch: The Weekend Sunrise co-host appeared noticeably drawn during the outing, while Kendall did her best to comfort him
Serious: Perhaps feeling stressed about his impending Adele interview, Matt failed to raise a smile during the coffee run
Got his back: Meanwhile, a concerned-looking Kendall was seen comforting Matt by gently placing her hand on his back and stroking his cheek.
Kendall meanwhile wore a loose navy blouse and denim cut-offs.
The pair's downcast display continued when the couple sat down at the cafe, with Kendall once again placing her hand on Matt's cheek.
It seems Kendall's efforts to cheer Matt up eventually payed off, as he later returned to his usual chipper self after leaving the cafe.
Casual look: The couple were dressed down for the occasion, with Matt sporting a grey button-up shirt and jeans
Gloomy: The pair's downcast display continued when the couple sat down at the cafe
Tactile: Kendall once again placing her hand on Matt's cheek
Matt and Kendall even posed for smiling selfies on the footpath before making their way home.
Little more than a week after the cafe outing, Matt would fly across the world to interview Adele in London - an exclusive chat he likely wishes never happened.
On Monday, Doran apologised to Adele earlier for failing to listen to her new album before interviewing her in London two weeks ago.
Support: Kendall touched Matt's shoulder as they relaxed at the cafe
Low-key look: Kendall wore a loose navy blouse and denim cut-offs
Is everything OK? Matt wore an anguished expression as he sipped his coffee, while Kendall attempted to cheer him up
Picking up some new threads to wear in London? Kendall clutched a shopping bag from high-end menswear brand MJ Bale
Doran's gaffe outraged her record label Sony, which refused to allow Seven to air the interview as part of its $1million package that also included broadcast rights to Adele's One Night Only concert and her sit-down with Oprah Winfrey.
The Weekend Sunrise host told The Australian he was 'mortified and unequivocally apologetic' to the British singer for being so unprepared.
Doran explained he'd missed the 'e-card' link to the album, so he wasn't able to listen to it after his flight from Sydney to London.
That's more like it! It seems Kendall's efforts to cheer Matt up eventually payed off, as he later returned to his usual chipper self after leaving the cafe
Say cheese! Matt and Kendall even posed for smiling selfies on the footpath before making their way home
'When I sat down to interview Adele, I was totally unaware that I'd been emailed a preview of her unreleased album,' he said.
'I have since discovered it was sent to me as an 'e card' link, which I somehow missed upon landing in London. It was an oversight but not a deliberate snub. This is the most important email I have ever missed.'
Reports surfaced on Sunday that an 'offended' Adele had 'stormed out' of the interview, which was filmed by Sony rather than a Seven crew, after Doran told her he'd only heard one song from her latest release.
Regret: Little more than a week after the cafe outing, Matt would fly across the world to interview Adele in London - an exclusive chat he likely wishes never happened
Apology: On Monday, Doran apologised to Adele earlier for failing to listen to her new album before interviewing her in London two weeks ago
Sony responded by banning the network from airing any part of the interview during its One Night Only package, for which Seven had paid $1million for exclusive rights.
Seven executives were said to be furious and 'suspended' Doran for two weeks.
He returned to screens on Weekend Sunrise alongside Monique Wright on Saturday.
However, the TV personality disputed this, saying the Someone Like You hitmaker 'didn't storm out' and in fact agreed to speak to him for another nine minutes.
Outrage: Doran's gaffe outraged her record label Sony, which refused to allow Seven to air the interview as part of its $1million package that also included broadcast rights to Adele's One Night Only concert and her sit-down with Oprah Winfrey
'Adele didn't storm out. In fact, it was the polar opposite. What was meant to be 20 minutes was extended to 29 minutes,' he said.
'The majority of the chat was about the album. I told her: 'I've only had the privilege of hearing Easy on Me, but not the other tracks.' As part of a long discussion about the new album, I remark that it would be reductive to say it's about heartbreak and divorce; instead, it's about empowerment and hope.'
Doran said he'd 'implored Sony to release the interview' and also clarified he hadn't been 'suspended' for the gaffe and was simply absent from Sunrise for one weekend.
Mortified: The Weekend Sunrise host told The Australian he was 'mortified and unequivocally apologetic' to the British singer for being so unprepared
The reporter had flown thousands of miles to London to chat with the pop
