The Victorian state government has pulled out of the running to host the 2018 TV Week Logie Awards in Melbourne, where it has been synonymous with the city’s art and culture, hosting the event for 30 consecutive years.
And TV stars are already slamming the decision, with Australian TV legend Bert Newton livid that his hometown would not continue to host Australian TV’s ‘night of nights’ likening it to losing other great Australian institutions.
‘The Logies belong in Melbourne,’ the 79 year old told the Herald Sun on Sunday.
Shattered: 79 year old Australian TV legend Bert Newton is livid that his hometown would not continue to host Australian TV’s ‘night of nights’
‘In my mind it’s like losing the AFL Grand Final or the Melbourne Cup. They too have always been in Melbourne.
The star went on to say that the Logies may never return to Melbourne.
‘My fear is if they go somewhere else, we may never get them back.’
‘The Logies belong in Melbourne,’: Bert has spoken out against the controversial decision from the Victorian government to ditch the event.
‘It’s just a big TV personality piss up,’: An insider revealed that the Victorian government had been planning to ditch the event for some time
An insider revealed that the Victorian government had been planning to ditch the event for some time, claiming that it didn’t live up to its claim that it boosted tourism.
‘It’s just a big TV personality p*ss up,’ the Herald Sun were told.
While the acclaimed awards show has no home right now, it’s likely that it will be held in Queensland from next year, although a specific venue has not been confirmed.
Going north: While the acclaimed awards show has no home right now, it’s likely that it will be held in Queensland from next year, although a specific venue has not been confirmed
Sydney also expressed interest in hosting the A-list event, which is heavily televised every year.
This follows an attempt by Destination NSW in March to pry the gala event away from Melbourne and hold it in country towns – such as Tamworth – for up to two years.
No home yet: Sydney also expressed interest in hosting the A-list event, which is heavily televised every year