News

‘I can’t wait to join them’: ABC announce Virginia Trioli’s replacement on News Breakfast

Jun 19, 2019

Virginia Trioli will no longer start the day with co-host Michael Rowland. Source: ABC

Virginia Trioli’s replacement for ABC morning program News Breakfast has finally been announced.

On Wednesday morning, the ABC revealed Australian journalist Lisa Millar will replace Trioli, who has hosted the popular morning program since it launched in 2008, and join Michael Rowland on the couch permanently from August 19.

“I’ve been traveling quite a bit in regional Australia since I got back and people are always asking me about the Brekky team and whether everyone is as nice and friendly as they seem,” Millar said.

“The answer is a definite yes. And I can’t wait to join them.”

Lisa Millar will join Michael Rowland on the couch permanently from August. Source: ABC

Meanwhile, Rowland took to Twitter to congratulate Millar on the new role writing: “And,…it’s LISA!! Please welcome the fabulous @LisaMillar to the breakfast couch! Can’t wait to work alongside my old friend. Lisa takes over from Virginia on Aug 19. Send her some love!”

And,…it's LISA!! Please welcome the fabulous @LisaMillar to the breakfast couch! Can't wait to work alongside my old friend. Lisa takes over from Virginia on Aug 19. Send her some love! @abcnews @abctv @BreakfastNews pic.twitter.com/SgNgK3zovh

— Michael Rowland (@mjrowland68) June 18, 2019

Trioli also took to Twitter to share the exciting news. She wrote: “O what has she let herself in for? Only the best job on breakfast TV! I’m just thrilled that the brilliant @LisaMillar will take over from me on @BreakfastNews from 19 August. Go well, friend.”

O what has she let herself in for? Only the best job on breakfast TV! I’m just thrilled that the brilliant @LisaMillar will take over from me on @BreakfastNews from 19 August. Go well, friend. x pic.twitter.com/oDrKEXCzxK

— Virginia Trioli (@LaTrioli) June 18, 2019

The news comes just one month after Trioli revealed she will be saying farewell to the show later this year as she embarks on a new challenge in radio journalism.

It was confirmed that the veteran journo will no longer start the day with co-host Michael Rowland, as she is set to replace Jon Faine at ABC Radio Melbourne when he retires later this year.

Trioli was the firm favourite to land the role, having previously filled in for Faine, as well as regularly standing in for Tony Jones on the ABC’s Q&A program. She also has experience i radio having presented Drive on ABC Radio Melbourne for five years from 2000 to 2005 and the Mornings show on ABC Radio Sydney for two years in the mid-2000s.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be taking on one of the most precious radio jobs in the country,” she said. “Jon and the ABC Melbourne team, for more than two decades, have created an agenda-setting and community-building program that means so much not only to Melburnians, but to anyone who values great conversation and the vital need for the continuing contest of ideas.

“Radio is in my soul and I’m pinching myself that this once-in-a-career opportunity has come my way. Melbourne — we’re going to make great radio together!”