Tracy Grimshaw is stepping down from her role presenting A Current Affair at the end of the year and reactions have been mixed to say the least.
WATCH: Tracy Grimshaw announces she’s leaving A Current Affair
The TV journalist, who has been presenting the show for more than 17 years, made the surprise announcement as ACA aired on Monday night.
“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 said.
“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.”
Tracy insisted she wasn’t “too old” for the job, just “a bit tired” after almost two decades on TV and thanked viewers for “indulging” her love of interviewing all that time.
But more than 25 years of “shift work” in the TV business has left her yearning for fewer early mornings on shows like the Today Show and late nights on ACA.
“And for the record both the boys and the girls have asked me to stay,” she added.
“Thank you for your loyalty. I hope I’ve repaid it. 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.”
Social media erupted with reactions after her announcement, as many young Aussies don’t remember anyone else hosting the show.
“The Veronicas splitting up?? Tracy Grimshaw leaving A Current Affair?? Australian culture is crumbling before our eyes!! I feel sick,” one tweeted.
Reminiscing on some of the more famous segments from the show, another quipped: “No one, and I mean NO ONE can chase a mechanic down a driveway like Tracy Grimshaw.”
Others cracked jokes about who may be hired as her replacement, one Twitter user writing, “My pitch to SMH Opinion: An icon departs our screens in Tracy Grimshaw. Here’s why Abbie Chatfield should replace her.”
Meanwhile her fellow reporters congratulated Tracy on her long career in TV news, Peter FitzSimons calling her interview with Scott Morrison in May a huge highlight.
WATCH: ACA’s Tracy Grimshaw reveals frustration during coronavirus scare
“In terms of sheer impact, this one, just before the last election was right up there. Go well, Tracy,” he tweeted.
Deborah Knight also tweeted a tribute, writing: “The terms trailblazer and legend are often bandied around, but @tracygrimshaw is all of the above.
“Trace you deliver a masterclass in interviewing every single time – and you are all class. Above all you are a decent human being. Thanks for working so hard. The best in the biz!”
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