One of Australia’s most fearless and respected journalists, Ally Langdon, has today been announced as the new host of A Current Affair, following the retirement of longtime host Tracy Grimshaw.
She will start on air on Monday January 30, 2023.
Ally has built her career on trust, empathy and a commitment to journalistic excellence. Most recently, Ally has been on our screens each weekday morning as the co-host of Today alongside Karl Stefanovic – a role she has been in for three years – and previously co-hosted Weekend Today, combining her presenting commitments as a reporter for 60 Minutes.
Nine’s Director of News and Current Affairs, Darren Wick, said: “Ally is a natural fit to lead A Current Affair into a new era. She was raised in the country and has a deep commitment to family, friends and community.
“Ally is a phenomenally hard worker, and has blazed her own trail through Australian News and Current Affairs. She learned the basics of her reporting in Nine’s Darwin newsroom before making her mark among our best in Sydney. After a decade of news, she was thrown in the deep end at 60 Minutes and very 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’re very excited to see what Ally will bring to ACA in 2023 and for many, many years beyond.”
Ally Langdon said: “It is such an incredible honour to be joining the A Current Affair team. A show I love, respect and have been watching since I was in school and Jana Wendt was host” said Langdon.
“I won’t lie – it’s daunting to be stepping into the role that Tracy has so brilliantly navigated for the past 17 years, with such warmth and compassion. 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.
“I get it’s a big change for our audience and also for me personally. There is great sadness at leaving my brilliant Today Show family, in particular my co-host Karl, who has made these past three years so wonderful and fun, although I won’t miss that 3am alarm! Instead, I’ll enjoy being woken by the kids, walking them to school and daycare before ripping in at work.
“I love what A Current Affair is, and what it stands for. It’s a show that is in my family’s DNA, as it was for my father-in-law, the late Mike Willesee Snr, who started A Current Affair back in the early 70’s. Each host has brought their own 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 each night. It’s their show, their stories we share, and injustices we help fight.”
Executive Producer of A Current Affair, Fiona Dear said: “I’m thrilled Ally is joining the ACA family. We’re already planning stories for next year and can’t wait to get out in the communities, listening to our viewers’ stories and hopefully helping more families with the issues that matter most to them.”
Ally got her start in journalism presenting radio programs on the NSW North Coast community radio station 2WAY FM while at high school, then went on to study journalism at Charles Sturt University, which included a prestigious internship at CBS in New York City.
She joined Channel 9’s Darwin newsroom in 2002, and won the David Marchbank Award for Best New Journalist during her first year in the Top End. Langdon moved into the role of political reporter for the Northern Territory, flying to East Timor and China to file stories for 9News and Sunday, and was one of the first reporters on the scene after the 2004 bombing of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.
Ally returned to Channel 9’s newsroom in Sydney 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 inquest into the disappearance of the baby of Keli Lane, and is an Ambassador for R U Ok?, the Mirabel Foundation, and Gidget Foundation
Ally lives in Sydney with her husband Michael Willesee Jr, and their children Mack and Scout.
Media Release – Nine
