Sonia Kruger reveals debut Channel 7 gig after ditching Nine

Former Today star Sonia Kruger’s debut gig at her new home network, Channel 7, has been announced less than three months after she departed Nine.

The 54-year-old will kick off her a multi-year deal by presenting Fire Fight Australia - a live 10-hour concert to raise money for national bushfire relief - alongside Sunrise hosts Sam Armytage and David ‘Kochie’ Koch.

Celeste Barber, who has raised a whopping $51 million for NSW Rural Fire Service, was announced as host, with The Morning Show stars Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies on hand as well.

Sonia has plenty of live broadcast experience having hosted Today Extra for eight years as well as two stints on Carols By Candlelight.

Airing on February 16, the sold-out musical event will feature performances from global superstars Queen + Adam Lambert, Michael Bublé, k.d. lang, and Alice Cooper.

Aussie industry icons Olivia Newton-John, John Farnham, Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy represent the green and gold along with homegrown bands 5 Seconds of Summer and Grinspoon.

Delta Goodrem will also take the stage after donating all proceeds from her charity song “Let It Rain” to bushfire relief.

Sonia quits Nine

Sonia’s shock departure after eight years with Nine was just one part of a mass exodus from the network at the end of 2019.

In November it was announced that Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon would be taking over hosting duties on Today in 2020, ousting existing hosts Georgie Gardner and Deb Knight.

A week later, Today Extra and The Voice host Sonia revealed she was leaving to spend more time with her five-year-old daughter Maggie and was farewelled on-air the very next day.

Rumours of defection to rival Channel 7 started swirling and were confirmed shortly after, with Sonia locked in to front a number of new programs including reality shows Mega Mini Golf and Australia’s Got ­Talent: The Champions as well as Seven’s coverage of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Fire Fight Australia airs live on Channel 7 and 7plus from 1 pm AEDT on Sunday, February 16.

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