After a few weeks of a whole lot of speculation, TODAY producers have confirmed that Georgie Gardner will return to the hit breakfast show and take over Lisa Wilkinson’s role as co-host.
The new host appeared on the show this morning to make the official announcement.
And the TODAY Instagram page also shared a snap of Gardner to confirm the news.
“We’re very excited to announce Georgie Gardner is coming back to TODAY! Welcome home, Georgie! 🎉 ❤️ #9Today,” the photo was captioned.
And it appears Gardner is excited, too! While speaking with Fairfax Media, the seasoned journalist described her new position as the best job on TV.
“It’s like none other; it’s a platform that gives you that opportunity to connect with people in every part of this country, in the cities and in every corner.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to discuss issues of national interest, to shine a light on issues people are concerned about, to inform and entertain, and hopefully rekindle the lovely relationship I had over the seven years prior.
“Karl and I obviously go back a long way. I enjoy his company enormously. He is predictably unpredictable … but I relish a challenge. Jokes aside, there is so much I can learn from him.
“He’s a larrikin; he knows he sometimes goes too far but that’s OK. At the end of the day, he’s entertaining and he loves to make people laugh. I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” she concluded.
And funnily enough, she immediately shared a snap of herself hugging her new co-host on Instagram.
Fellow TODAY star Sylvia Jeffreys was quick to share a congratulatory snap of her new colleague.
“Welcome home, GG! So very excited to share my mornings with the wonderful @georgiegardner9! Happy days ahead @thetodayshow 💕,” she captioned the happy picture.
Gardner commences her role in January.