For 15 years, there’s been no figure on Australian television as recognisable, successful and trusted as Tracy Grimshaw.
As host of A Current Affair, Tracy has delivered bombshell interviews featuring the likes of prime ministers, Hollywood celebrities and the country’s most vulnerable – which is why, according to a Nine insider, she’s the safest person at the network. But New Idea hears a plum new job offer could one day change everything!
Watch: Tracy Grimshaw barefoot as she hosts show from her spare bedroom amid coronavirus pandemic
“Tracy loves what she does and has the utmost respect for the ACA chair. Nine has her back,” says the source, who insists “she would only leave for the right reasons”.
Be that as it may, Tracy’s loyalty to the chair is said to have done little to stop wandering eyes from her co-workers at the network.
The ACA hosting gig is one of the most “prized” jobs, with the show’s sought-after exclusives and juggernaut ratings making it an enticing role to the network’s many presenters.
One insider says Tracy’s job has been eyed off for years from everyone at Nine, including the likes of Deborah Knight – who currently hosts the Saturday show – and Leila McKinnon, who is no stranger to filling in for Tracy.
Most recently, Today host Karl Stefanovic has been vying for the role!
While Tracy and Karl share a lengthy friendship as two of Nine’s longstanding faces, a source says the father of four would “jump at the chance” to take over ACA if he could.
“Breakfast TV is the most unstable department in television – he would much prefer the comfort of the ACA chair,” says a source. “Karl’s been waking up at dawn to do the morning show for way too long – his end game is A Current Affair,” the insider maintains, who says he has engaged network bigwigs on the thought previously.
It’s said Tracy refuses to worry about her future and plans to stick around until she feels she has given the gig her all.
“She’s frankly had enough of chatter of a replacement or her exit – there’s plenty more that Tracy has to give,” says a close friend.
Interestingly, the insider says the 61-year-old will certainly not be overlooked when it comes to life after TV.
“She has a list of very high-powered friends, including the Oatley family who own Hamilton Island,” says the source, revealing that Tracy’s name has been “bandied around lately” in business circles for a potential new job on Hamilton Island’s board of directors.
With Hamilton Island forming part of Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands, the Oatley family have been a historic part of the area and even launched the island’s most decadent hotel, Qualia Resort, in 2007.
“Any company would benefit greatly from Tracy’s contact list, credibility and her broad knowledge while being able to deal with the media and government – she would be amazing,” the source says, insisting the pay would be “quite handsome” for Tracy’s experience.
“The truth is, Tracy doesn’t just want to leave ACA and retire – she has many skills and is a great communicator. She has a plan and we’ll all get to find out exactly what that is.”
Read more in this week’s New Idea, on sale now.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
