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Former Today hosts to join in 35th birthday party

Steve Liebmann, Sue Kellaway, Liz Hayes, Tracy Grimshaw & Monty Dwyer will reunite for 35 years of Today.

Former Today show hosts, Steve Liebmann, Sue Kellaway, Liz Hayes, Tracy Grimshaw and weatherman Monty Dwyer will gather to celebrate 35 years of Nine’s breakfast show next week.

They will join with Karl Stefanovic, Lisa Wilkinson, Richard Wilkins, Sylvia Jeffreys, Tim Gilbert, Natalia Cooper and Ross Greenwood in the studio on Friday June 30, with singer Niall Horan as special guest.

No word on George Negus who hosted from 1987-1990, amongst others: Georgie Gardner, Cameron Williams, Steve Jacobs, Brian Bury…?

As part of its 35th birthday next week Today also undertakes another ‘We Love Australia’ road trip across the East Coast, from Monday.

Lisa Wilkinson said: “This really will be a very special week for all of us here at Today. Apart from beginning the week in the stunning Whitsundays – and travelling around this beautiful country of ours – we’ll get to celebrate our 35th birthday with all the amazing people who have helped to make this the wonderful program it is today. It promises to be an extraordinary week for our viewers.”

Karl Stefanovic said: “This is pure Australia. Reef, Outback, Ned Kelly, lethal animals. And Niall. Niall! I love this country. Just a bit worried about all those legendary Today show hosts coming on and reminding people how good they are.”

Karl, Lisa, Richard, Tim and Sylvia’s adventures will begin with a special program showcasing the Great Barrier Reef, broadcast from Hamilton Island in the picturesque Whitsundays. Sylvia dives Hardy Reef to see how scientists are ensuring this incredible natural wonder is preserved for future generations. And the team check in with locals on how the world-renowned tourist region has bounced back from Cyclone Debbie. 

The gang then head inland to Queensland’s sheep and cattle town of Winton where they’ll get down and dirty – digging and exploring for Australia’s largest dinosaur fossils. Broadcasting from outside the North Gregory Hotel, they’ll also be treated to a special performance by Australian country music star Adam Harvey, compete in the extreme sport of dunny racing, and host a free breakfast BBQ for all the Winton locals.

On Wednesday Karl, Lisa and the team head to the heart of Kelly country – taking Today to the Victorian township of Glenrowan, the site of the final siege and capture of Ned Kelly and his gang. 

They will chat with one of Ned’s descendants who will tell us what sort of person the legendary bushranger really was behind the iconic suit of armour. There will be a re-enactment of Ned Kelly’s last stand, and the team will also get out and about checking out Glenrowan’s other great tourist offerings, including wineries, an Italian cooking school, canoeing and bike riding.

Today then heads north to the New South Wales town of Dubbo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo for a jam-packed morning. It will include a visit to the Old Dubbo Gaol, the Japanese Gardens and local dairies. Karl, Lisa and Tim will get immersed in zoo life, up close and personal with hippos, elephants, giraffes, meerkats, cheetahs, tigers, lions and monkeys. Plus, they will be asking viewers to help name the zoo’s baby hippo.

Then on Friday, Karl, Lisa, Richard, Sylvia, Tim, Natalia and Ross regroup at the Channel Nine studios in Sydney for a landmark 35th birthday morning of celebrations – featuring a performance by global sensation Niall Horan. This will be Niall’s first ever solo appearance on Australian television, performing his mega hits Slow Hands and This Town.

Monday, June 26 – Hamilton Island, Qld
Tuesday, June 27 – Winton, Qld
Wednesday, June 28 – Glenrowan, Vic
Thursday, June 29 –Dubbo, NSW
Friday, June 30 – Sydney NSW

5:30am on Nine.

4 Responses

  1. They probably won’t be playing the tape of the opening of the first episode in 1981. It hasn’t been preserved well and the picture is almost indistinguishable.

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