Sportsbet betting odds hint Sonia Kruger is hot on Hamish Blake’s tail for Gold Logie

Three years on from the Tom Gleeson controversy that rocked the Logies, betting sites have predicted we may be in for another surprise.

Three years on from Tom Gleeson’s unforgettable 2019 Gold Logie win, the industry is set to crown another TV great on Sunday night, but will it be as a wild a twist as the last ceremony?

Comedian Gleeson stirred up controversy after running a ruthless campaign gunning for the win, mocking the Logies and his competitors for a number of weeks. When he actually did take out the prize, his win was followed by weeks of irked industry peers slamming a “lack of graciousness” in his acceptance speech.

This year, radio star Hamish Blake has been labelled a “shoo-in” for the gong, but according to Sportsbet, he could be pipped at the post on the night by TV’s golden girl herself, Channel 7’s Sonia Kruger.

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Longtime TV host Sonia Kruger could swoop in.

Former radio star Blake is a favourite to win.

While Blake, who hosts family-favourite competition show Lego Masters on Channel 9, still heads betting at $1.80, his odds have eased over the weeks from $1.40. Elsewhere, Kruger has moved from $6 to $4, and is now outright second favourite.

MasterChef’s Melissa Leong is third pick at $5.50, with iconic Home And Away actor Ray Meagher on $10 and I’m A Celeb’s Julia Morris on $11.

A win would be a long time coming for Kruger, 56, who has finally been recognised for her 20 years on our screens with a Most Popular Personality nod.

Earlier this week, she told TV Tonight that it was “high time” a woman took out the award, noting that most of the male nominees have already taken home a Gold Logie in the past.

“And it’s not a popularity contest but I did host every show on Channel 7 last year and deserve it more than everyone else,” she joked.

Sportsbet’s Sean Ormerod agreed.

“Sonia would be a deserved winner if she takes home the Gold,” he said.

“There isn’t much she hasn’t appeared on, Big Brother, Holey Moley, Dancing With The Stars, to name a few, and there’s no doubting her popularity with the voting public.” Kruger has also hosted The Voice this year.

According to the betting site, the biggest outsiders are both former winners of the Gold Logie, with Hard Quiz host Tom Gleeson at $11 and Karl Stefanovic at $13.

Gold Logie nominees Karl Stefanovic, Julia Morris, Hamish Blake, Tom Gleeson, Sonia Kruger and Ray Meagher. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

When Gleeson was announced as the last Gold Logie winner, he certainly had something to say about it.

As he accepted his award with a glass of wine in hand, Gleeson launched into an eight-minute speech that poked fun at Aussie TV’s night of nights and those who actually cared about the awards.

“Just because all of you want it and I have got it, don’t get angry with me,” he said on stage.

“There has been a lot of concern that I’m turning this award into a joke. But what you are forgetting is, I’m a comedian. I love jokes.

“This award has meant so many things to so many different people and that doesn’t cease to exist. It has done a lot of great things for a lot of different people … But for me, it represents a joke. But I love jokes. I really enjoy them. I really think we should all lighten the f**k up. I really do.”

Gleeson’s speech in 2019 rubbed many people the wrong way. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The speech didn’t go down well with Tracy Grimshaw who blasted Gleeson on A Current Affair, saying, “We all waited for him to change pace and close his speech with some grace, but no chance.”

Amanda Keller, who was the sentimental favourite for this year’s Gold Logie, admitted that she was “a little unimpressed” with the acceptance speech.

“There was a lack of graciousness,” The Living Room host told Andrew Denton on Channel 7’s Interview.

Live voting for the Gold Logie is open now right through until the end of the red carpet telecast. Fans can now vote for their favourites from the short-listed nominees at tvweeklogiesvote.com.

The 62nd TV Week Logie Awards air this Sunday, June 19 from 7pm on Nine.

Originally published as Sportsbet betting odds hint Sonia Kruger is hot on Hamish Blake’s tail for Gold Logie