Georgie Gardner replaces Lisa Wilkinson on Today
GEORGIE Gardner has been announced as Lisa Wilkinson’s replacement on Nine’s Today show this morning. But as she was welcomed to the team she didn’t miss a beat, addressing tension rumours between her and co-host Karl Stefanovic.
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GEORGIE Gardner has been announced as Lisa Wilkinson’s replacement on Nine’s Today show alongside Karl Stefanovic this morning.
The 46-year-old didn’t miss a beat, even addressing tension rumours between her and Stefanovic as she was welcomed to the team.
Gardner held her new co-host’s shoulder and said: “Nothing’s changed. Are you still predictably unpredictable?”
The network had been frantically working to fill the spot since Lisa Wilkinson sensationally announced in October that she was defecting to Ten to join The Project.
Despite this, Wilkinson was one of the first to tweet her congratulations to Gardner.
“Warmest congratulations to my friend @GeorgieG who has just been announced as the new co-host of @TheTodayShow. She will nail it.”
Warmest congratulations to my friend @GeorgieG who has just been announced as the new co-host of @TheTodayShow. She will nail it. #9today
— Lisa Wilkinson (@Lisa_Wilkinson) November 22, 2017
Gardner was quick-witted on her first day on the desk, asking her panel “I’ve been asleep for three and a half years, do you notice how fresh I look?”
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Today team. It is one of the few roles of this calibre on Australian television, it’s not lost on me what a huge honour and great privilege it is. It’s come at the right time in terms of where my family is at, and I have their full support,” she said.
“It’s an amazing opportunity, I’m really excited to be back working alongside the most talented team in the business, and reconnecting with Today viewers.”
Despite the former Today newsreader reportedly ruling herself out of the running earlier this month, it’s now revealed Gardner had a change of heart telling viewers this morning she made the decision with the support of her family.
“I consulted with the family greatly, the response with them was hilarious,” she added.
Gardner’s 12 year old daughter Bronte joked that her mum needed to brush up on social media to “get more followers” while 10 year old son Angus was more practical, suggesting she won’t have time to cook dinner anymore and they’ll have to get take away.
Stefanovic said: “She’s very committed to making sure everything is right in an age where it’s not in a lot of news sources and that is a great attribute to have.”
He added: “She is connected to what other mums are going through out there and really feels for them so she is going to bring all that to the table. I think that is the best thing about her is her heart, viewers will know she cares.”
The pre-dawn starts prompted Gardner to leave Today in 2014 after seven years, moving to read the weekend news and report occasionally for 60 Minutes.
It is understood Gardner was initially reluctant to return to the show, but it’s been revealed Nine CEO Hugh Marks and news chief Darren Wick have worked tirelessly to convince her it’s the right move.
Having left the show three and a half years ago, Gardner said: “this is a pinch me moment.”
“I am really deeply honoured to take this on. There is no bigger better gig in Australian TV and to know there is that there is that platform, that wonderful opportunity to hopefully reconnect with viewers in every corner of this country, to get them engaged, to entertain them, to inform them, to put a spotlight on issues that you’re really passionate about, that is of national interest, that we are passionate about, I mean it is just the most extraordinary opportunity, it is not lost on me,” she said on Today.
“And of course big shoes to fill, I know acutely how much love and respect there has been for Lisa and she will always be part of the Today show landscape as will the women that went before her. It is an enormous role and I am deeply grateful.”
Nine Network Director of Morning Television, Mark Calvert welcomed Gardner to the Today team.
“There’s no better person on Australian TV than Georgie. Ever since she left, viewers have been asking me when she’s coming back,” he said.
“Well here she is, and I couldn’t be happier. She’s the total package: a brilliant broadcaster, a great journalist and a top woman.”
Gardner told Stefanovic that she respected him as she took on the role.
“Jokes aside you know how much respect I have for you. There’s been interesting, a bit of conjecture over the last few weeks about how much we feel about each other,” she said.
“We’ve had our bumps, we’ve had our laughs, it is a very open and honest relationship. It is robust.
“Strap yourselves in everyone because anything could happen. It is going to be great, I hope.”
