Richard Wilkins vows to shock on Weekend Today in 2020

Richard “Dickie” Wilkins has hinted viewers may be shocked by some of the views he’s vowed to express on air next year.

Richard “Dickie” Wilkins has hinted viewers may be shocked by some of his views that he’s vowed to express on air next year.

It was announced yesterday that Wilkins would co-host Nine’s Weekend Today with Rebecca Maddern in 2020. And the TV veteran told news.com.au he “certainly hopes” Australia will be surprised by his opinions on news and political stories.

“I’ve never aspired to be bland or boring, so I certainly hope to mix it up on the weekends,” he said.

Wilkins said he was “beyond thrilled” to start the Weekend Today gig after a “confusing” year on air in 2019. He has shared the Today show entertainment role with Brooke Boney all year and has been co-hosting Today Extra two days a week.

Dickie with Brooke Boney. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

David Campbell with Dickie.

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“In hindsight, David (Campbell) and I sharing the week, with Sonia (Kruger) having two work husbands, was maybe a little confusing for her and us and potentially the viewers,” he said.

In addition to his new role on Weekend Today, Wilkins will still pop up on the Today show during the week in 2020.

“My role as entertainment editor at the network doesn’t change, I’m still doing interviews and specials (which will be seen on Today),” he said. “As well as that I’ll be sitting in the anchor seat on the weekends, and to have my own show with the fantastic Rebecca Maddern is exciting and I can’t wait!”

Rebecca Maddern and Richard Wilkins recently hosted the Hay Mate concert.

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After a disastrous year of ratings in 2019, Nine yesterday announced a series of sweeping changes to its morning shows.

Karl Stefanovic will return as the co-host of Today alongside Allison Langdon, with Tracy Vo reading the news, Alex Cullen presenting sport and Tim Davies as the weatherman. And Wilkins says viewers can expect to see a slightly different Stefanovic on air next year.

“It seems like only yesterday I was bidding him farewell on air,” Wilkins told news.com.au. “It was quite emotional because I was sad to see Karl go.

“As I said at the time, Karl’s an intoxicating mix of world’s best broadcaster and naughty schoolboy. I think the naughty schoolboy might have been given a couple of whacks of the cane, and I think he’ll come back more aggressive and possibly a little more contrite.”