Popular ABC funnyman Mark Humphries is the latest victim cost cutting at the national broadcaster, making his final appearance on Thursday night.

Humphries, whose satirical sketches were a much-loved feature of the 7.30 current affairs program since 2018, was told his services were no longer required.

Ahead of the final sketch, 7.30 executive producer Joel Tozer sent an email to staff thanking Humphries and co-creators Evan Williams and Chloe Angelo for the “wit, creativity and dedication” they had brought to the show over the six years.

Tozer said the decision to drop the sketches was a difficult one, “but in a tight budgetary environment this change will allow us to expand the range of journalism we can pursue on the program”.

“7.30 has and will continue to ensure comedy has a rich tradition in the program,” he said.

While host Sarah Ferguson bid farewell to the group on air, Humphries told his Facebook followers he would be leaving to pursue other things.

“There is so little scripted comedy produced in this country, that even being able to produce 2-3 minutes of it a fortnight on a news and current affairs show is a tremendous privilege. So, to our bosses Justin Stevens and then Joel Tozer, our deepest thanks,” Humphries posted.

After thanking his colleagues and viewers for their support, and saying what an honour it was to work on 7.30, Humphries hinted at a possible new venture.

“The time has come for us to pursue making content outside of the parameters of 2-3 minute sketches. What might that look like? Four minute sketches? Five? Only time will tell.”

Humphries’s departure comes after the ABC in June announced it was preparing to cut up to 120 jobs, including its senior arts team and the role of Canberra-based political editor Andrew Probyn.

ABC news director Justin Stevens at the time sent staff a five-year plan for the national broadcaster, which outlined a move away from traditional channels and a shift from three to two divisions of news and content.

Mr Stevens told staff the ABC would be an integrated digital operation by 2028, and needed to “find savings and efficiencies to deal with rising costs and to reinvest in its strategic priorities”.