Larry Emdur feels the heat after Andrew O’Keefe The Chase host takeover

The Morning Show’s Larry Emdur has revealed how he really feels about being appointed as The Chase host, replacing Andrew O’Keefe.

Larry Emdur is feeling the heat ahead of taking over hosting duties of Seven’s high-rating TV game show, The Chase.

Emdur will be seen at the helm from Monday at 5.30pm after The Morning Show presenter took over from long-time host Andrew O’Keefe.

“I have lived in this space before for many years and that show leading in to the news is super important,” Emdur, who will continue on the Morning Show as well as hosting The Chase, told Confidential.

Larry Emdur takes over hosting duties on Channel 7 game show, The Chase.

“I have lived with that stress and that pressure and know exactly what that is like. I didn’t take the decision lightly because we’ve got a beautiful thing happening on The Morning Show, top of the ratings for 14 years and I love working with (co-host) Kylie Gillies and the team.”

Emdur, 56 signed on to host in February, a month after it was revealed Seven had not renewed O’Keefe’s contract with the network. Assault charges against O’Keefe meanwhile were recently dismissed on mental health grounds after a court heard he was having a manic bipolar episode when he struck his ex-girlfriend who had accused him of bringing an ice pipe to a party.

O’Keefe had six months worth of episodes in the can at the time of his departure with his final episode having aired last night.

Andrew O’Keefe at the helm of The Chase. Picture: Ian Currie

“From a host’s perspective, to have the opportunity to jump on a bus like this, you just don’t want to stuff it up. That is what is at the back of my head, hopefully I don't stuff it up royally,” Emdur said. “I figured, why not have one more shot at it before I go to the nursing home. I am absolutely nervous about next week. I hope people continue to enjoy the show they way that they have over the years and I hope I bring something different to it as well.”

It marks Emdur’s return to the game show format, although he pointed out The Chase was a quiz show. He previously hosted The Price Is Right and Wheel of Fortune.

Larry Emdur with wife, Sylvie. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

The Morning Show hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies.

Initially in taking on the gig, Emdur asked producers what style of host they wanted.

“Their response was just, ‘you’, I got the job because I am me so just be me,” he said. “I can manage that brief, which is better than them telling me they wanted me to be like someone else.”

Emdur continued: “The show really is about the contestants and The Chase is there as the star of the show, or the questions are the star of the show because that is what people at home cling on to. My role is to be the nice guy in the middle and to keep all of the cogs turning. I have been around for so long, people know who I am and what I do and I guess the danger for me is to try and be somebody else. The brief to go out there and do you was really good feedback for me to get.”

Originally published as Larry Emdur feels the heat after Andrew O’Keefe The Chase host takeover