Nine sidelines Richard Wilkins for Triple J young gun

Richard Wilkins has been the Today entertainment correspondent for many years, but it seems that chapter is coming to a close for the reporter with his 2019 replacement being announced.

Nine news and current affairs director Darren Wick has confirmed Triple J’s Brooke Boney will join Today as entertainment correspondent next year, and will be working closely with Richard, who will remain entertainment editor at Nine, but have a greater role on Today Extra that airs after 9am.

“I’m really thrilled to be joining the team and so excited to be working alongside Richard Wilkins. He’s such a legend in the business,” 31-year-old Indigenous reporter Boney said in a statement.

“It’s such an exciting time to be joining Nine and am looking forward to learn from everyone on the Today team. As a young girl growing up in the country I watched Today so it’s really awesome to know it’ll be my new home.”

A proud Gamilaroi woman, Brooke hails from New South Wales and has proudly promoted her Indigenous culture throughout her career so far.

In November it was announced Brooke was leaving Triple J after working there as a newsreader for two years, but would be staying with the ABC to work on content across other areas of the business.

She started every bulletin by saying ‘Yaama’, translating to ‘Hello’ in Gamilaroi – the language of her people in Northern New South Wales.

She has also previously worked at SBS and NITV.

Last year Richard celebrated 30 years with Channel Nine. The showbiz veteran was the network’s first MTV Australia host back in 1987, before he went on to host Entertainment Tonight in the late 1990s.

This is just one of many changes that have been announced by the network this week.

On Tuesday it was announcement Peter Stefanovic was leaving Channel Nine, a day before brother Karl was dumped from Today.

On Thursday Richard delivered a heartfelt speech to camera in honour of ‘fantastic, intuitive and intelligent journalist’, Karl Stefanovic.

“I can tell you from the heart that there’s nobody who’s worked harder for this show than Karl,” Richard said.

“He is a fantastic, intuitive and intelligent journalist. I’ve always described him as an intoxicating mix of ‘world’s best broadcaster’ and naughty schoolboy.

“It’s no secret that the past year or so have been in many ways difficult times for Karl but I can say that every morning he has walked into this studio with energy and passion bringing ideas to make the show bigger and better.

“He always strived to deliver the best program he possibly could. Karl says that this is the best show on television and I couldn’t agree more.”

Richard went on to say that presenting the show is a ‘tireless gig and it comes with an enormous amount of scrutiny’.

“Nine and Karl Stefanovic have agreed it is time for him to step off the Today Show,” news and current affairs director Darren Wick said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Karl remains on contract with the network and will continue to host This Time Next Year which records in February.

“An announcement on the new line up and format of the Today Show will be made in the coming weeks.”

“For the last 14 years I’ve co-hosted the best show on television. I can’t thank Nine enough for the opportunity. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be good enough to host this grand show for so long,” Karl said in a statement.

“Thanks to our viewers mostly, you are what matters most. It’s been a tough time. Thanks for hanging in there. I look forward to seeing you in another capacity at this great Network soon.”

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