Richard Wilkins opens up about Today show changes

Entertainment editor Richard Wilkins has opened up about the changes to Channel Nine’s Today show, admitting it was ‘no longer a one-man job.

On Friday Nine news and current affairs director Darren Wick confirmed Triple J’s Brooke Boney will join Today as entertainment correspondent next year, and will be working closely with Wilkins, who would be moving away from his role with the breakfast program.

He will remain entertainment editor at Nine, but is likely to have a greater role on Today Extra that airs after 9am.

But despite taking a step back from his position, Wilkins has opened up about the changes and shown support for his new colleague.

“The entertainment beat just continues to get bigger and bigger all the time and it’s no longer a one-man job, and with the show having a complete reset I’m thrilled and delighted to be welcoming Brooke on board,” ­Wilkins told the Sunday Telegraph.

“She has a fresh energy, new ideas and enthusiasm to join us at the Today show.

“I’m continuing to work on Today and Today Extra, as I’ve been doing for some time, and other platforms within our expanding media company.”

Indigenous reporter Brooke Boney is excited about the opportunity, and said she was excited to be working with Wilkins, who she called a ‘legend in the business’

“I feel I’ve got a lot to learn from Dickie,” she told the publication.

Wilkins even took to Instagram on Sunday to post a happy snap of him and Brooke with the caption “Looking forward to working together.”

A spokesman for the network insisted Wilkins was remaining and that was Boney was an addition to the entertainment ranks, and not a replacement, News.com.au reports.

Last year Wilkins 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 a string of changes at Channel Nine, with Peter Stefanovic leaving the network after 15 years. Brother Karl was then sensationally axed as the host of the Today Show, before Sylvia Jeffreys announced she would also be leaving the breakfast program.

In a statement on Saturday, the newsreader revealed she would not be returning to the show next year, but will continue on with the network.

“I’m thrilled to sink my teeth into a brand new project. Opportunity often knocks when you least expect it and I’m ready to dive right in to what’s ahead of me,” she said in a statement.

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