Tracy Grimshaw QUITS A Current Affair after 17 years on Channel Nine

TV legend Tracy Grimshaw has announced she is stepping down from A Current Affair.

The 62-year-old shared the news with viewers during Monday’s episode of the popular Nine Network program.   

‘Normally right about now we’d be telling you what to expect tomorrow night but lately I’ve personally been thinking longer term, and I have some news that I wanted you to hear from me before you hear it from anyone else,’ she began.

‘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.

The 62-year-old shared the news with viewers during Monday’s episode of the popular Nine Network program

‘But I’ve basically been a shift worker for 26 years, driving to work before dawn for nine 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.’

‘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.

‘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’ she said 

‘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. 

‘I’ve basically been a shift worker for 26 years, driving to work before dawn for nine 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’ she explained 

‘So thank you for that opportunity. Thank you for your loyalty. I hope I’ve repaid it.’

Tracy concluded:  ‘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.’

The official Twitter account for A Current Affair also shared the news on Monday night. 

The official Twitter account for A Current Affair also shared the news on Monday night

‘After 17 years in the hosting chair, our very own @tracygrimshaw has announced she will be stepping down from presenting A Current Affair at the end of the year. Thank you, Tracy’ the post read. 

In January 2006, Grimshaw took over for Ray Martin as host of A Current Affair, her most well-known news role. 

‘She put me to shame,’ Martin said. ‘She’s so good. I love what she does and I love watching her.’ 

In January 2006, Grimshaw took over for Ray Martin as host of A Current Affair, her most well-known news role. Pictured in 2008

A young Grimshaw started her career as a reporter in Nine’s Melbourne newsroom in 1981. 

The journalist then began hosting National Nine News in 1995 and then the Midday Show.

In that same year, Grimshaw began to work on the Today show with Liebmann, which he described as a ‘great professional marriage’.

A young Grimshaw started her career as a reporter in Nine’s Melbourne newsroom in 1981 

Significant stories Grimshaw has reported on over the years also include the Thredbo landslide, the death of Princess Diana, and the Beaconsfield Mine collapse.

She celebrated 40 years at Channel Nine in October last year. 

Her colleague Brady Halls paid tribute to her to mark the milestone, saying: ”You are an outstanding journalist. 

‘You are a wonderful colleague to all of us in the office, and a really good friend. So Trace, I want you to sit back and enjoy what you’re about to see – 40 years of TG on Nine.’

A series of clips then aired of a fresh-faced Grimshaw reporting different news stories for Nine before shifting to her years presenting National Nine News. 

Tracy’s notable ACA interviews included her sit-downs with former NRL player Matthew Johns, disgraced TV host Don Burke, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.