Today’s Allison Langdon has been announced as the new presenter of A Current Affair.
The Channel Nine show shared the good news on its official Instagram account on Sunday.
“In 2023, Ally Langdon will take over as presenter of A Current Affair, following the retirement of longtime presenter Tracy Grimshaw,” the announcement said.
Today’s Allison Langdon (pictured) has been announced as the new presenter of A Current Affair. The Channel Nine show shared the good news on its official Instagram account on Sunday
“One of Australia’s most fearless and respected journalists, Ally has built her career on trust, empathy and a commitment to journalistic excellence.
“It will go on the air on Monday January 30, 2023. Welcome to Team Ally!”
The post featured a picture of Langdon emblazoned with the words “new host.”
“In 2023, Ally Langdon will take over as presenter of A Current Affair, following the retirement of longtime presenter Tracy Grimshaw,” the announcement said. Grimsaw is pictured
In a press release on Sunday, Langdon expressed her excitement at taking on the coveted role.
“It is an incredible honor to join the A Current Affair team. A show I love, respect and have been watching since I was in school and Jana Wendt was the presenter,” she said.
“I’m not going to lie – it’s scary stepping into the role that Tracy has navigated so brilliantly with so much warmth and compassion for the past 17 years.
In a press release on Sunday, Langdon expressed her excitement at taking on the coveted role. “It is an incredible honor to join the A Current Affair team. A show I love, respect and have been watching since I was in school and Jana Wendt was the presenter,” she said
“I hope to bring my own warmth and compassion to the show as we continue to tell great stories that matter to our amazing viewers.”
Langdon also confirmed that she will be leaving the Today Show due to the new gig.
“I understand it’s a big change for our audience and also for me personally. I am very saddened to be leaving my brilliant Today Show family, especially my co-host Karl, who has made these last 3 years so wonderful and fun, although I won’t miss that 3am alarm clock! She said.
Langdon also confirmed that she will be leaving the Today Show due to the new appearance. Pictured on the Today Show alongside Karl Stefanovic
“Instead, I enjoy being woken up by the kids, taking them to school and daycare before I get to work.”
She continued, “I love what A Current Affair is and what it stands for. It’s a show that’s in my family’s DNA, as it was for my father-in-law, the late Mike Willesee Snr, who started A Current Affair in the early ’70s.
“Each presenter brought their own unique style to the show and I hope to do the same, but at its core, A Current Affair is about those at home who tune in every night. It is their show, their stories we share and injustices we help fight.”
Nine’s director of news and current affairs, Darren Wick, praised Langdon in the network’s press release on Sunday.
“Ally is a natural fit to take A Current Affair into a new era. She grew up in the countryside and is very involved with family, friends and the community,” he said.
“Ally is a phenomenally hard worker and has carved her own way through Australian news and current affairs.
Pictured: Former ACA presenter Tracy Grimshaw
“She learned the basics of reporting at Nine’s Darwin Newsroom before making her mark among our best in Sydney. After a decade of news, she was thrown in at the deep end at 60 Minutes and soon found her rhythm.
“She’s passionate, curious and razor sharp – loyal to her colleagues, dedicated to her craft and determined to fight for her viewers. We are very excited to see what Ally will bring to ACA in 2023 and for many, many years to come.”
A Current Affair Executive Producer Fiona Dear said: “I’m thrilled that Ally is joining the ACA family. We are already planning stories for next year and can’t wait to go into the communities, hear our viewers’ stories and hopefully help more families with the issues that matter most to them.
It’s on the back of news that Ally will take a “hefty pay cut” after signing up with A Current Affair, reports say.
Langdon, 43, is said to be currently on a “premium deal” worth $1 million a year where he will host the Today show for 17.5 hours a week alongside Karl Stefanovic.
In contrast, Langdon’s rumored new gig hosting ACA, which equates to a much lower on-air commitment of 2.5 hours a week, will only make $250,000 a year, reports The Daily Telegraph.
If Langdon decides to quit Today to make more room for her ACA role, she will face a six-figure pay cut.
Meanwhile, outgoing ACA presenter Tracy Grimshaw reported that she received an annual package worth about $750,000, although The Daily Telegraph claims Allison struck a “better deal” with network bosses than her predecessor.
Tracey signed off on A Current Affair Thursday night after 17 years at the helm
Sources at Nine have also apparently told The Daily Telegraph that Langdon was reluctant to accept the role at ACA when TV execs told her how much she would make.
Ally began her career in journalism hosting radio shows on the NSW North Coast Community radio station 2WAY FM while she was in school.
She then studied journalism at Charles Sturt University, which included a prestigious internship at CBS in New York City.
She joined Channel 9’s Darwin desk in 2002 and won the David Marchbank Award for Best New Journalist in her first year in the Top End.
Langdon transitioned into the role of political reporter for the Northern Territory, flew to East Timor and China to submit stories for 9News and Sunday, and was one of the first reporters on the ground after the Australian Embassy bombing in Jakarta in 2004.
Ally returned to Channel 9’s Sydney newsroom in 2004, presenting for 9News, Nightline and Today before joining the 60 Minutes team as a reporter in 2011.
She is the author of the 2007 book The Child Who Never Was – The Tegan Lane Story after covering the investigation into the disappearance of Keli Lane’s baby, and is an ambassador for RU Ok?, the Mirabel Foundation and Gidget Foundation
Ally lives in Sydney with her husband Michael Willesee Jr. and their children Mack and Scout.