The favourites to replace Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair revealed

As Tracy Grimshaw’s time at A Current Affair nears its end, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive as to who would take her spot behind the desk of the popular current affairs show.

The highly sought-after role is up for grabs after Grimshaw announced she would be stepping down as presenter following an impressive 17 years as host.

The veteran journalist shocked fans with the announcement at the end of A Current Affair’s Monday, September 6 broadcast, explaining that she made the choice to step down and wasn’t “being shoved out the door by the boys club” because she was “too old”.

“Normally right about now we’d be telling you what to expect tomorrow night but lately I’ve personally been thinking longer term, and I have some news that I wanted you to hear from me before you hear it from anyone else,” she told viewers.

“I’ve decided to finish up with A Current Affair this year.

“It’s been a big decision and before the gossip websites start telling you rubbish, I want you to know it’s been my decision alone and I’m not being shoved out the door by the boys club because I’m too old.

“I’m not too old, I’m just a bit tired. And for the record both the boys and the girls have asked me to stay.

“But I’ve basically been a shift worker for 26 years, driving to work before dawn for 9 years on the Today Show, and the past 17 years driving home after dark here on A Current Affair and it’s time for less of that daily obligation.

“It’s been my privilege to host this show.

“Thank you for your loyalty. I hope I’ve repaid it. I’m around until November then I’m going to take a long holiday, but it’s business as usual until then. See you tomorrow night.”

After 17 years in the hosting chair, our very own @tracygrimshaw has announced she will be stepping down from presenting A Current Affair at the end of the year.

Thank you, Tracy ❤️ #9ACA pic.twitter.com/kCYj9hRbHJ

— A Current Affair (@ACurrentAffair9) September 5, 2022

Initially, rumors suggested that Nine executives had extended their search for a new host beyond the walls of the network’s offices and were considering The Project host Carrie Bickmore, according to The Australian.

Other frontrunners for the coveted role included Today show host Karl Stefanovic, and his co-host Allison Langdon. Sylvia Jeffreys and Deb Knight, who will be familiar to A Current Affair audience as regular stand-in host and Saturday ACA host respectively, are also rumored to fill the veteran journalist’s shoes.

However as reported by The Sunday Telegraph, Nine executives are nearing closer to making an official announcement and have narrowed it down to two names to take over from Grimshaw when she steps down in November.

Reportedly, 60 Minutes reporter Sarah Abo and 2GB radio host and former Today host Deborah Knight are the two final contenders to take their place behind the A Current Affair desk.