Nine stars who could replace Lisa Wilkinson
ALTHOUGH it’s unclear whether Deborah Knight will become a permanent replacement for Lisa Wilkinson on Today, Georgie Gardner and Chris Bath have joined the list of hot contenders for Nine’s breakfast show host job. Here’s the full list.
Confidential
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WITH news Lisa Wilkinson has quit Nine’s Today show and will join Channel Ten, Confidential looks at possible contenders to take over the job, widely regarded as one of the best on Aussie TV.
Could there be more changes afoot with Nine director of news and current affairs Darren Wick saying the network needed to take the show in a new direction.
Wick told the Daily Telegraph yesterday: “We are not sure yet what that direction will be.”
Online betting agencies have everyone from the obvious contenders like Georgie Gardner and Sylvia Jeffreys to Sophie Monk and Ita Buttrose.
WHO WILL REPLACE LISA WILKINSON?
Georgie Gardner
The obvious choice who has filled Wilkinson’s shoes before and worked on Today as news reader for a long time. The big question here is whether or not she’d take the job that would see her reunite with Karl Stefanovic, with whom she has had some tensions in the past.
Sylvia Jeffreys
Jeffreys would be another likely candidate having been Wilkinson’s right-hand woman and newsreader on the show for some three years. Jeffreys replaced Georgie Gardner in 2014. Could the 31-year-old be in line for another promotion to take the prime spot next to her brother-in-law? But some 26 years younger than Wilkinson, does she have the life experience and mettle to carry the show and keep Stefanovic in check?
Edwina Bartholomew
The popular Sunrise presenter is a serious TV talent, her sunny disposition and adaptability serving her well and seen her popularity endure. Bartholomew is planning a wedding for next year and has often spoken of her desire to have children and spend more time on her Lithgow farm.
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Sonia Kruger
Having helmed Today Extra (formerly Mornings) since 2011, Kruger may be ready to take the reins from Wilkinson and score herself a pay rise and a profile boost. The only question is, does Kruger, a former showbiz reporter and actor, have the gravitas and experience to go toe-to-toe with the Prime Minister?
Carrie Bickmore
With word Wilkinson is heading over to Ten to join The Project, could the very well-liked Gold Logie winner be ready to up her game and step up into a higher profile role? It remains to be seen how the two female powerhouses will balance each other out sitting side-by-side on The Project.
Deb Knight
Knight stepped immediately into Wilkinson’s shoes this morning after news broke of her departure which could be a sign she’s already being considered for the gig. She was appointed as news presenter on Weekend Today in December 2011, co-host in 2015 and is currently a fill-in presenter on Today.
Chris Bath
Having left Seven two years ago, Bath has been without a solid TV gig after she was rumoured to have quit the network over a pay dispute. Bathie is well liked and could be a perfect person for the role given her news background, journalistic credibility and likability.
Melissa Doyle
Doyle was the co-host of Sunrise for 14 years, so has more breakfast TV experience than any woman currently on TV. Doyle’s stocks have certainly risen over at Seven, so it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to see her take a seat at the desk next to Stefanovic.
Sarah Harris
The incredibly popular Studio 10 host worked on various roles at Nine including being a fill-in presenter at Weekend Today and Mornings. Well-liked and easily able to hold her own on both hard and light topics, Harris could be looking for a new role after three years at Ten.
