Channel 7 host Kylie Gillies reveals private pain after death of her father

The Morning Show co-host Kylie Gillies has spoken about a family tragedy and rumours claiming she’s the highest paid contestant on Dancing With The Stars.

TV host Kylie Gillies was rocked by a family tragedy while filming the latest season of Dancing With the Stars.

The Morning Show co-host was left heartbroken and almost quit the competition after her beloved father, Ron Mills, died unexpectedly at age 91 in August last year.

“It’s all quite emotional,” she said tearfully.

“Dad passed suddenly within 24 hours. I had to step away from the show and stop rehearsing. I was going to pull out.

“I was off The Morning Show because I couldn’t pretend. I couldn’t be all quiet and upset and ugly with red swollen eyes, I couldn’t be on television like that.”

Channel 7 star Kylie Gillies almost quit Dancing With The Stars after a family tragedy. Picture: Justin Lloyd

With most of her family based in Queensland, Gillies suffered another blow when she was unable to travel for the funeral due to Covid.

“This is the first time I’ve lost someone so close to me,” she said.

“Not being able to get to Queensland to see my mum and my sister and my nieces, was beyond anything that any family should have to do but yet so many of us found ourselves in the same situation during lockdown and continue to do so in Western Australia.

“I was just one of many people who had to endure that.”

Kylie Gillies was heartbroken after the unexpected passing of her father Ron Mills last year.

The Channel 7 star watched her father’s funeral via livestream and her eulogy recording was played during the service.

Her husband of more than 30 years and former AAP editor in chief, Tony Gillies, and their sons Gus and Archie got her through the dark time.

“My Morning Show family and Channel 7 were also so supportive,” she said.

After some time off, Gillies, 54, eventually returned to dance rehearsals and while she admits doing Dancing With the Stars for a second time has been “nerve-racking”, it’s been a rewarding experience.

“It’s one of the most satisfying shows to ever do,” she said.

Gillies cleared up reports claiming she’s the “highest paid” contestant on the program.

“I would pay Channel 7 to have me on the show, completely the opposite,” she laughed.

Dancing With the Stars continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.