Jayne Azzopardi and Clint Stanaway confirmed as new hosts of Weekend Today

The shake-up continues at Nine, as two new Weekend Today hosts have been announced after Belinda Russell revealed she was leaving the show.

Nine have announced the new hosts of Weekend Today, revealing this morning that Jayne Azzopardi and Clint Stanaway will front their weekend breakfast program, joining news presenter Sophie Walsh.

Speaking to 9Entertainment, Stanaway said he was excited to get on board to tell people’s stories.

“I think both of us, and including Sophie, we want to bring a relaxed sort of vibe to the show and have some fun, but as well as keeping people entertained,” he said. “We know we have a responsibility to keeping people informed as well.”

L-R: Jayne Azzopardi and Clint Stanaway will join newsreader Sophie Walsh on Weekend Today. Picture: Nine

Azzopardi agreed, adding: “You can have us on the TV while you’re eating breakfast and having your coffee and there’ll be interesting conversations and also maybe helping you make sense of things that have happened during the week.”

Stanaway began his career at Nine in 2005 before moving to London in 2007 to work as the network’s European correspondent, during which he also covered major sporting events such as Wimbledon, the French Tennis Open and British Open Golf.

In 2011, he took on the role of weekend sports presenter, featuring on Nine News every Saturday and Sunday evening, while occasionally reading the sports bulletin on the Today Show.

“I’m a sports veteran, Jayne’s all about politics and I love Sophie’s cheek and humour … and I think that’s really showcased on our show,” he said.

Jayne Azzopardi and Clint Stanaway bring a wealth of reporting experience between them. Picture: Nine

As for Azzopardi, she got her start at Nine in 2009 as a political journalist in Canberra, before joining the Sydney newsroom in 2011 where she covered breaking news both locally and globally, from natural disasters to red carpets and royal tours. In recent years, she became the Weekend Today news reader.

“See, Jayne’s the sensible one. She started out in finance. Right there is the contrast between us,” Stanaway joked.

Before the formal announcement of Azzopardi and Stanaway as hosts, Nine’s veteran entertainment editor Richard Wilkins and journalist Belinda Russell held down the fort as fill-in hosts these past few months.

They were joined by Charles Croucher up until October last year, when he was promoted to Nine’s political editor following Chris Uhlmann’s departure from the network.

Last month, Russell shocked many when she also announced she was vacating the hosting chair at Weekend Today, providing no concrete reason for her departure.

“Hello friends. A little career update for you,” she wrote on Instagram at the time, along with a highlights reel of her time on the show.

“My time on Weekend Today has come to an end. Thanks to those who tuned in. I hope I brought some sunshine and joy to your weekends. I have loved the last year and am looking forward to future opportunities at Nine. Good luck to the team for 2023 and beyond!”