After Lisa Wilkinson sensationally walked away from her gig on Today show last month, Deborah Knight was quick to step in to temporarily fill her shoes.
But any hopes the 44-year-old harboured to take for good were shattered on Thursday, when Georgie Gardner was announced as the new co-host.
And as Georgie officially accepted the role live on air, Deborah couldn’t hide her disappointment at the news.
Cringe! As Georgie Gardner accepted her new role on Thursday as Karl Stefanovic’s co-host on the Today show, Deborah Knight (pictured) couldn’t hide her disappointment that she missed out on the coveted gig
As Georgie awkwardly gushed over Deborah’s contribution to the team, the Weekend Today presenter appeared to be attempting to keep her facial expression poised and professional to conceal her dismay.
‘It’s an enormous role. I’m deeply grateful. Can’t wait to get started,’ Georgie said of her new role before she turned her attention to her colleague.
‘Can I take this opportunity also to salute you. You have slipped into this chair with such poise, such professionalism. It can’t have been easy at times,’ Georgie told Deborah.
‘You are an absolute class act. It’s rare in this game to call someone a colleague and a friend. You are that. Happy birthday.’
‘You are an absolute class act’ Georgie (left) gushed over her colleague as Deborah accepted the awkward compliments through a forced smile
Georgie continued: ‘I’m really excited for the next chapter in your career, because you are such a valued member of the team’
Through what looked to be a forced smile, Deborah accepted the somewhat awkward compliments by simply responding: ‘Thank you. That means a lot.’
Deborah, who has been the interim Today co-host alongside Karl Stefanovic for the past month, was considered a frontrunner to be Lisa’s replacement.
Missed out! Deborah, who has been the interim Today co-host alongside Karl Stefanovic for the past month, was considered a frontrunner to be a replacement for Lisa Wilkinson (left)
The announcement of the new co-host was made on Thursday morning with Georgie saying, ‘Can I say I’m deeply honoured to take this on. You know, there’s no bigger, better gig in Australian TV.
‘To know that there’s that platform, that wonderful opportunity to hopefully reconnect with viewers in every corner of this country, to get them engaged,’ she continued.
‘To entertain them, to inform them. To put a spotlight on issues that your passionate about that is of national interest that we’re passionate about.
‘It’s most extraordinary opportunity. It’s not lost on me. Of course, you know, big shoes to fill. I know acutely how much love and respect there has been for Lisa.
‘She will always be part of Today Show landscape as will the women who went before her,’ Georgie said.
‘It’s most extraordinary opportunity’: Georgie’s new role was announced live on air during the Today show on Thursday
‘It’s great to have Georgie back. I think the best thing about her, is her heart. Viewers know she cares,’ co-host Karl Stefanovic added.
‘She is connected to what other mums are going through and really feels for them – and she’s got a wicked sense of humour.
‘She’s also very committed to making sure information is right, in an age where it’s not in a lot of news sources, that’s a great attribute to have,’ the Today show host added gushing his new co-host with praise.
‘It’s great to have Georgie back’ Karl lathered his new co-host with praise, despite previous reports that the pair haven’t gotten along
‘She will nail it’: Lisa took to Twitter to offer her congratulations to her replacement
Lisa Wilkinson also congratulated her replacement tweeting just moments after ‘warmest congratulations to my friend Georgia who has just been announced as the new co host of The Today show. She will nail it.’
Georgie – who was previously part of the TODAY line-up presenting news for seven years until 2014 – will join Karl, news presenter Sylvia Jeffreys, sports presenter Tim Gilbert, entertainment editor Richard Wilkins, weather presenter Natalia Cooper and finance editor Ross Greenwood next year.
But it seems the new gig may have come at a price, with reports on Monday revealing the 46-year-old will be paid less than half of co-host Karl’s reported $2 million.
Pay disparity?Georgie’s new gig may have come at a price, with reports on Monday revealing the 46-year-old will be paid less than half of co-host Karl’s reported $2 million
According to The Australian, the TV journalist currently cashes in $500,000 and has been offered a $750,000 for the new gig.
‘It is understood Nine has offered Gardner a contract worth at least $750,000 a year, a big lift on her current five-year deal, which was negotiated by former Nine chief executive David Gyngell and worth about $500,000 a year,’ they said.
And along with Georgie’s reported pay rise, the publication added Sylvia Jeffreys had also managed to get herself a ‘salary bump’.
‘Highly regarded news presenter Sylvia Jeffreys, meanwhile, has also agreed on terms for a new three-year contract, including a salary bump, as part of wider line-up changes, with [current fill-in Deborah] Knight also earning a more lucrative deal.
Cashing in: Along with Georgie’s reported pay rise, the publication added Sylvia Jeffreys (left) had also managed to get herself a ‘salary bump’.
A Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that they ‘won’t be commenting on this one’.
The news comes after Georgie was spotted on Sunday with documents in her hand as she left her lawyer’s home.
Donning a casual denim dress and makeup free complexion, the mum-of-two grasped onto the multiple sheets and made her way to her SUV.
Giving the game away: Georgie was spotted on Sunday with documents in her hand as she left her lawyer’s home
But their on-screen chemistry might be a work in progress, with a Channel Nine staff member revealing over the weekend the pair were forced to ‘clear the air’ at lunch during the week.
‘They were keen to make it work for Georgie because she really is the best person for that role,’ one staff member reported to the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘She’s f***ing tough, let me tell you, she doesn’t take s**t from anyone. More importantly, she’s been a journo for years.
‘She has a strong news background and she’s more than capable of doing political interviews as well as the banter.’
She wakes up with Today! Georgie Gardner is the new face of breakfast as she takes on the high-profile gig