The Scoop: Inside the world of Queensland’s movers and shakers
The new owner of surfing legend Mick Fanning’s former Gold Coast home has wasted no time getting it to pay its way. WE’VE GOT THE SCOOP
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The new owner of surfing legend Mick Fanning’s former Gold Coast home has wasted no time getting it to pay its way.
The mystery buyer, who snapped up the designer home a wax block’s throw from the beach at Tugun for an as-yet-undisclosed price before it was scheduled to be auctioned last month, has put the three-bedroom property straight on the rental market seeking a hefty $1800 a week.
The three-bedroom home, which Fanning and partner Breanna Radnall bought for $3m in 2021, might appeal to cashed-up skateboarding enthusiasts, as it boasts its own internal skate ramp.
Such was the frenzied interest in the Farrell Drive property opposite Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary that the auction was scrapped and a cashed buyer scored the keys.
Fanning owns a multimillion-dollar portfolio of properties on the southern Gold Coast including a beachfront mansion at Bilinga which he rents out as a holiday house.
ROBERTS-SMITH SPOTTED AT SWANKY BAR
Disgraced former Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith was spotted publicly in Brisbane for possibly the first time since a defamation case found it was true he committed war crimes, including murder.
The 6‘7’’ (200cm) Roberts-Smith, who is appealing the decision, stuck out like a sore thumb at affluent Brisbane haunt Mr Percival’s on Friday night, dressed in a tight polo shirt and towering above a packed house of patrons.
Scoop’s sources say Roberts-Smith was at the bar and talking with others before heading for the door about 10.30pm, where he was spotted “dapping up” and chatting with well-known Brisbane cricketer Chris Lynn.
Roberts-Smith – the former boss of Seven Brisbane – was found to have committed war crimes in Afghanistan in the mid-2000s during a civil defamation trial in 2023.
Roberts-Smith’s night out in Brissy came the same day the South Australian barrister who proved he committed war crimes in the defamation case was promoted to a Federal Court judge.
GLARING ABSENCE ON SCREENS
Fans of Nine News Queensland have noticed a glaring absence on their screens: Andrew Lofthouse, the beloved 62-year-old anchor, has been missing from the 6pm bulletin for over a month, sparking industry chatter and viewer speculation.
Lofthouse, a veteran journalist and household name, was last seen delivering the news on November 1. Since then, Melissa Downes has been flying solo on the nightly bulletin, leaving many to wonder — where is Lofthouse, and why has he vanished from Queensland’s airwaves?
Insiders at the Nine newsroom are reportedly scratching their heads, with whispers of everything from health concerns to behind-the-scenes upheaval fuelling the rumour mill.
“It’s unusual for someone like Lofty to vanish for so long without explanation,” one insider told Scoop.
Despite the swirling rumours, the Nine Network has remained tight-lipped about the sudden absence, only confirming to Scoop that Lofthouse is expected to return after the January Australian Open.
NINE’S NOT SO FESTIVE XMAS BASH
Channel 9 Brisbane’s recent staff Christmas party wasn’t all festive cheer this year, with whispers of controversy overshadowing the annual event.
Traditionally held at the Flight Centre rooftop in South Bank — offering enviable city views — the celebration was relocated to Dockside at Kangaroo Point this year.
While management framed the move as a change of scenery, Scoop sources have alleged a less celebratory reason: the building’s bosses reportedly banned Nine from returning after explosive allegations about the network’s workplace culture surfaced earlier this year.
Since May, Nine has been embroiled in investigations into bullying, sexism, and abuse claims from within its ranks across the network, leaving staff morale at an all-time low.
Adding to the drama, insiders revealed that nearly half of Nine’s Brisbane employees snubbed the event, furious over ongoing treatment within the company.
KIP THE NEW CRYPTO BRO
KIIS 97.3 breakfast host Kip Wightman is trading banter for Bitcoin, launching a new side hustle as a “crypto bro”.
The radio star has taken his passion for cryptocurrency to YouTube, posting his first how-to video on December 4, guiding viewers through setting up a CoinSpot account, a crypto currency trading platform.
“We talk about crypto sometimes on air, and what I’ve noticed is that every time we talk about it, I get a message from someone or a bunch of people, saying, How do I even get started? How do I buy crypto??” Wightman shared in the video.
“Hopefully this video will help you get started so you can enter the world of crypto.”
But don’t cash in your super just yet — Kip keeps it real, warning viewers that crypto is “kind of like gambling” and to only invest what you’re ready to lose.
He finished with “hopefully we can make us all millionaires, or maybe lose everything”.
RED CARPET ROYALTY
With the AACTA Awards unveiling their 2025 nominees over the weekend, all eyes are now on who will grace the red carpet when the prestigious ceremony returns to the Gold Coast in February.
This year’s Queensland debut drew heavyweights like Margot Robbie, Rebel Wilson, and Cate Blanchett, but insiders are now speculating about the potential star power set for 2025.
Hopes are high for local legend Chris Hemsworth to make the short drive from Byron Bay to collect a potential Best Supporting Actor win for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Earlier this year, wife Elsa Pataky made an appearance — sans Chris — so fans are banking on a Hemsworth sighting this time.
Fans are also crossing their fingers for Hemsworth’s Furiosa co-star Anya Taylor-Joy, a nominee for Best Lead Actress in Film, to fly in for the event.
Adding to the excitement, AACTA President Russell Crowe, VP Nicole Kidman, and Patron Dr. George Miller -who missed this year’s earlier ceremony due to scheduling conflicts — are all expected to make an appearance, joining Ambassador Cate Blanchett on the star-studded guest list.
RADIO TO TV??
Brisbane radio host and TV personality Dan Anstey is rumoured to be swapping the Triple M studio for the Today show desk this summer.
Scoop sources have revealed Anstey, known for co-hosting Triple M Brisbane’s breakfast show with Greg ‘Marto’ Martin and Margaux Parker, is lined up to fill in for Karl Stefanovic during his holiday break.
No stranger to the screen, Anstey already doubles as a weather presenter on Weekend Today, making him a familiar face for morning TV fans.
In another potential shake-up, Scoop hears whispers that former Sunrise host Sam Armytage could step in for Sarah Abo over the summer. The speculation comes just months after Armytage’s high-profile departure from the Seven Network after a 21-year tenure.
Real reason ER reboot was canned
It was one of the hit shows of the 90s, and broke the Hollywood career of George Clooney. Now, one of its stars reveals why a reboot of ER never happened.
‘Rise up’: New age of women dominates Hollywood
Gone are the days where women are dismissed as “popcorn actors” or considered “past it” if they’re over 40, and the new female era in the film industry is thanks to these star actresses.