Who will replace Tracy Grimshaw as host of A Current Affair?

Nine has big shoes to fill with its next on-air vacancy - and a new report suggests the network is looking further afield to fill the role.

Television stalwart Tracy Grimshaw’s surprise announcement that she is stepping down as host of A Current Affair has left big shoes to fill for the Nine Network.

And a new report from The Australian suggests Nine may be looking outside the network to fill her seat - with those on the wishlist including eternally popular Project host Carrie Bickmore.

Veteran journalist Grimshaw, 62, announced last Monday night that she will vacate her role in November, citing she’s “just a bit tired” of the gruelling hours involved.

Grimshaw has held the coveted — and lucrative — position for 17 years, leaving fans wondering who Nine executives will select to fill her seat.

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Tracy Grimshaw announced she was leaving A Current Affair on Monday night.

According to theDaily Telegraph, everyone in Nine’s talent pool would be clambering for the role, for which Grimshaw was reportedly paid a salary of around $700,000.

“Everybody at the network would want the job,” an unnamed executive told the publication.

“It is prime time and talks directly to the audience. It is their (host) show.

“Nine is in no rush, there are plenty of options and it will take time to find the right person.”

A new report in The Australian’s Media Diary today says Nine has assembled quite the longlist of names from within the network and externally.

Bickmore has been a Ten mainstay for well over a decade - could Nine ever poach her?

Among them? Bickmore, who is reportedly out of contract at Ten at the end of the year. Fellow Ten star Sarah Harris, Seven’s Melissa Doyle and the ABC’s Stan Grant and Lisa Millar also make the list according to Media Diary, while former Sunrise co-host Sam Armytage is reportedly not up for consideration as she’s not considered a “good fit” for Nine.

Grimshaw took over from Ray Martin when she was appointed the anchor of A Current Affair in 2006.

Before that, she was co-host of Today with Steve Liebmann, a role she held for nine years.

With Grimshaw’s rise to ACA host in mind, a replacement plucked from the Today desk would make sense.

Georgie Gardner could be one of the ‘options’ for Nine.

As well as fill-in ACA host Leila McKinnon.

While Karl Stefanovic, Grimshaw’s former Today co-host who has made several appearances on ACA over the years, would be high on the list, it is widely understood the role will be filled by a woman, making Ally Langdon a possible candidate.

Radio presenter and former Today co-host Deb Knight and Leila McKinnon, who has hosted ACA as a fill-in in the past.

Other contenders include Nine’s Georgie Gardner, Sylvia Jeffreys, and entertainment reporter Brooke Boney.

Who would you most like to see present A Current Affair? Vote in our poll below.

Grimshaw announced her shock departure last Monday night in an emotional speech at the end of the show.

“Normally right about now we’d be telling you what to expect tomorrow night but lately I’ve personally been thinking longer term, and I have some news that I wanted you to hear from me before you hear it from anyone else,” Grimshaw told viewers.

“I’ve decided to finish up with A Current Affair this year.

“It’s been a big decision and before the gossip websites start telling you rubbish, I want you to know it’s been my decision alone and I’m not being shoved out the door by the boys club because I’m too old.

“I’m not too old, I’m just a bit tired. And for the record both the boys and the girls have asked me to stay.

“But I’ve basically been a shift worker for 26 years, driving to work before dawn for nine years on the Today Show, and the past 17 years driving home after dark here on A Current Affair and it’s time for less of that daily obligation.”

Grimshaw earned praise over the years for her tough interview style.

“I was just a kid in 1971 when Mike Willesee started it and in our family it was required viewing each night as Michael either forensically dismantled some politician or maybe laughed along with Hoges.

Back then, I was going to be a vet or a flight attendant so if you’d told me that one day I’d sit in this chair, let alone occupy it for 17 years, I’d have thought you were mad. Well lucky me.

“You’ve let me indulge my love of interviewing here. I’ve talked to people who’ve made us all laugh and cry, who’ve shared their triumphs and their challenges and their wisdom and despair.

“And because it’s your show not mine and you get to vote each night with your remote control, you told us you wanted more of that. So thank you for that opportunity.

“Thank you for your loyalty. I hope I’ve repaid it. I’m around until November then I’m going to take a long holiday, but it’s business as usual until then. See you tomorrow night.”