Katrina Blowers and Samantha Heathwood are the new faces of 7NEWS Queensland’s 4pm bulletin

Following Kendall Gilding’s departure after 12 years with the network, 7NEWS Queensland has announced the new faces of its flagship bulletins.

7NEWS Queensland shakes up its presenting team, introducing Katrina Blowers and Samantha Heathwood as the new anchors for its 4pm weekday bulletin. Picture: Seven Network.

In a major reshuffle at 7NEWS Queensland, the network has announced Katrina Blowers and Samantha Heathwood as the new faces for its 4pm weekday bulletin.

This change follows Kendall Gilding’s departure in December after a remarkable 12-year tenure with the network.

Katrina Blowers, who has been a prominent figure for the weekend news audience, is set to transition from her weekend role to present the 4pm bulletin on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Samantha Heathwood will take over the reins from Blowers for the 6pm weekend bulletin, in addition to presenting the 4pm news Thursday and Friday, with Blowers hosting the other weekdays.

Blowers and Heathwood are familiar faces in the state’s southeast. Picture: Seven Network

Blowers shared her enthusiasm for this new stage in her career.

“I’m excited to be entering a new stage of my career and life in 2024 … Storytelling is my passion, and I can’t wait to continue to meet our viewers out on the road while sharing the important stories they trust us with,” she said.

Heathwood also expressed her excitement about the role.

“It’s fair to say this is a dream role for me to be stepping into the 6pm weekend slot … I’m also thrilled to still be getting out on the road so I can continue to tell Queenslanders’ stories first-hand,” she said.

Kendall Gilding left 7NEWS Queensland in December after 12 years. Picture: Richard Walker

Director of 7NEWS for Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Michael Coombes, emphasised the significance of this new chapter for the network, highlighting the qualities both presenters bring to their roles.

“Katrina has been, and will continue to be, a real leader in this newsroom. Sam, as well as being a talented presenter, brings her warmth and experience to each story she crafts,” he said.

Heathwood, while thrilled about her new position, acknowledged the big shoes she has to fill and mentioned the support she has received from both Gilding and Blowers.

“I’ve dreamt of it for a really long time, probably decades, I used pretend to be Kay McGrath, when I was a kid in my bedroom. And to now take over from Katrina, who also took over from Kay it’s just such an incredible position to be in and I feel really privileged,” she said.

“It is overwhelming and exciting and it’s an absolute honour and a privilege, with huge shoes to fill.”

7NEWS Queensland icon Kay McGrath.

She also noted the challenges of juggling her career with being a single mother, but expressed her determination to make the most of this opportunity.

“I’m a single mum, and it’s a bit of a juggle, it can be really tough doing it on your own, but getting this opportunity is something I could never have said no to, it’s too good to be true,” she said.

“But I’m so grateful, I’ve got my parents that helped me a lot. So instead of helping me on a Tuesday now they’ll help me on Sunday.”

Blowers, reflecting on her decision to step away from the weekend bulletin, revealed it was a tough choice influenced by her desire to spend more time with her family and plan her upcoming wedding this year.

“It’s been a very difficult decision to make and I’ve probably been going back and forward on it for about six months,” she said.

“But at the end of the day, my children are teenagers, I’m not going to have them with me forever.

“They, for some reason, still want to spend time with me, and now that I am engaged, my fiance works Monday to Friday, so all of those things were part of the decision of stepping away from weekend.”

The proposal of Katrina Blowers and Adam Yates. Picture: Instagram

In August 2023, Blowers’ boyfriend of 2 and a half years, Adam Yates, pulled off a lavish proposal while the pair were on a trip to the Maldives.

In scenes straight out of a film, “one million” rose petals covered the pool of the couple’s overwater villa in the Maldives, surrounding a wooden sign saying “Will you marry me?”

With no roses on the tiny island, Yates had “hundreds” of the single-stemmed flowers shipped from India to the Maldives, about 2000km away.

“We are deep in wedding planning mode at the moment, and the wedding will be this year,” Blowers said.

Ahead of the changes, effective from January 29, both Blowers and Heathwood are appealing to their loyal 4pm audience to stick with them through this transition.

“Please stick with us … we’re going to do the best job we can and we’d love you to stick with us,” Blowers urged.

“We have spoken to Kendall about these changes and have her blessing so that’s always really lovely too.”