Big changes are coming to Channel 9’s flagship Today show, including a new co-host and a raft of new presenters. The shake-up to the morning show’s line-up was confirmed on Monday and will affect both weekday and weekend programs.
Sophie Walsh Takes Over As Co-Host
Among the changes, Sophie Walsh will co-host Weekend Today alongside Clint Stanaway, replacing Jayne Azzopardi. Azzopardi, a former Sydney reporter, has instead been named as Today news presenter after Brooke Boney’s departure. Boney took over the role in January 2023 but announced earlier this year that she was leaving to study at Oxford University.
Replacing Brooke Boney
Brooke Boney made a tearful farewell to viewers on Friday ahead of her move to the U.K. and study at the prestigious Oxford University. The news and entertainment reporter, 37, who began working with the Channel Nine breakfast show in January 2019, was given flowers from her colleagues as she gave a heartfelt statement live on-air.
'I'd like to say thank you to the audience for accepting me. I'm grateful to every one of you for tuning in every day,' Brooke began.
'It's a privilege to go over to Oxford, but it is even more of one that I have got this much love around me. It makes it difficult to leave.'
The veteran presenter added her appointment on the show was a huge milestone for Indigenous Australians, and thanked the team for taking a chance on her.
'Today was the first breakfast show in the country to put an Aboriginal person on as a full time host. Now it is a very normal thing to do in this time slot, and I'm proud of that.'
Host Karl Stefanovic, 50, then paid tribute to Brooke with some touching words: 'We love you and everything you represent, and how hard you work. You have such an immediate connection with everyone.'
Meanwhile, co-host Sarah Abo, 38, said they were so proud of Brooke and wished her the best of luck for the future.
Azzopardi Takes Over As News Presenter
Azzopardi, 44, started at Nine in 2009 as a political journalist in Canberra before joining the Sydney newsroom in 2011. She has also previously been a newsreader for Weekend Today and was named as host in April 2023.
New Faces Join The Team
Other changes to the Today line-up include former Extra and Channel [V] host Renee Bargh to cover entertainment news. Lizzie Pearl, also a former Sydney reporter, will present the Weekend Today news, with Dan Anstey to cover the weather.
Confirmation Of Changes After Emotional Week
Confirmation of the changes comes after an emotional week among staff at the program amid multiple departures. Today host Karl Stefanovic told Boney during her final show last week that she was well loved and respected.
“We love you and everything you represent, how hard you work,” he said.
“I think the last two weeks in the Olympics demonstrated, how much range you have. How much immediate connection you have with anyone you walk along the street with.”
Gifted with flowers, cake, and “goodies”, Boney said was “overwhelmed” and had “done things I never dreamt possible”.
“For someone like me, I grew up in housing commission, so this is really beyond my wildest dreams,” she said.
Boney added that she proud to have been the first Aboriginal woman to have a full-time host role on a morning program.
Sophie Walsh's New Role
Channel Nine has announced that popular journalist Sophie Walsh will be replacing Jayne Azzopardi as co-host of Weekend Today alongside Clint Stanaway. A veteran of Nine News, Walsh, 38, steps into her new role after Azzopardi, 44, moved on to fill the news and entertainment spot at Today.
The role was left vacant by Brooke Boney who exited the job on Friday ahead of a move to study in the U.K.
Walsh is well known to viewers as Weekend Today's news presenter, a gig she has held since early 2023.
'We've already shared so many great moments together on Weekend Today and I'm looking forward to stepping up into the new role and giving our viewers an authentic and fun start to their weekend.'
Before her Weekend Today job, Walsh was Nine News European correspondent.
She made headlines in 2020 when she was attacked live on air (and off-camera) while covering a violent street protest in the U.K.
Walsh kicked off her career at WIN TV in Bundaberg, Queensland before landing a high profile gig with Nine News in Sydney in 2009.
What's Next For The Today Show
The new changes are sure to bring a fresh perspective to the Today show. With Sophie Walsh at the helm of Weekend Today, viewers can expect a lively and engaging start to their weekends. Azzopardi is sure to bring her own unique perspective to the Today news desk. With the new line-up in place, the Today show is poised to continue its success in the years to come.
