Tracy Grimshaw resigns from A CURRENT AFFAIR

After hosting the Channel 9 staple for 17 years Tracy says the time has come for her to leave the popular program.

Tracy Grimshaw has announced her resignation from A Current Affair live on Channel 9 tonight.

Her message was delivered where the promo for the following night’s episode would usually go.

Tracy said she wanted to make sure she made the announcement on her own terms to stop gossip magazines saying she was pushed out.

The much-loved host within the Nine newsroom will be missed by many who have worked with her over the years.

From personal experience I can say that what you see is what you get with Tracy on air and behind the scenes.

Sources tell TV Blackbox it is an open field on who will replace her with executives noting they have plenty of time to make the decision.

Those sources also note there are plenty of good candidates.

It’s expected, but not confirmed, that Nine will do a deal to keep her on the books in some capacity.

Here is the message Tracy delivered to 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 9 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.
 
“It’s been my privilege to host this show.
 
“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.”

In a statement sent out shortly after her announcement, Nine’s Director of News and Current Affairs, Darren Wick, said:

“Tracy Grimshaw is an inspiration to us at Nine.
 
“She is the best interviewer on television and has been for many years. And she will forever take her place alongside the greatest interviewers that Australian journalism has ever seen.
 
“Tracy is stepping away from A Current Affair at the peak of her powers. That generates mixed feelings of joy and sadness for those among us who have known her for many years.
 
“Joy, because Tracy has decided now is the perfect time to leave the program. She is doing it on her own terms on her own timetable. Just as she has done throughout her whole career.
 
“And sadness because she is irreplaceable. I know we work in an industry where it’s often said that anyone can be replaced. But that’s not true with Trace. She is one of a kind. She cares about her colleagues and she cares about her viewers. 
 
“We love her. We admire her. And we will miss her nightly on our screens.”