The sage advice Tracy Grimshaw shared with Allison Langdon before departing ‘ACA’

As Allison Langdon settles in behind the desk of A Current Affair (ACA), the 43-year-old has revealed the sage advice former host Tracy Grimshaw shared with her before departing the nightly current affairs program.

With an impressive 17 years of experience behind the ACA desk, Grimshaw was well placed to offer some valuable insights to the incoming host.

“I spoke to Trace a lot in the lead up to the (host) announcement being made and I remember a conversation we had as she was driving in ahead of her final show,” Langdon told The Herald Sun.

“She said, ‘just be yourself, Ally, be yourself, and follow what you want to follow’

“She told me to listen to the ACA audience; they are smart, they know what they are talking about, but find your own way and be authentic.

“Be real and be you, is what she said.”

Grimshaw shocked viewers after revealing that she would be stepping down as presenter during the Monday, September 6, 2022, broadcast of ACA, 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”.

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

“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 at the time.

“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.”

Grimshaw signed off for the final time on Thursday, November 24, 2022, the broadcast proving to be an emotional one as Grimshaw bid a moving farewell to her loyal fans and close-knit crew during her final episode.

In an emotional final sign-off, Tracy Grimshaw says goodbye to A Current Affair. #9ACA pic.twitter.com/t4sOFYVle6

— A Current Affair (@ACurrentAffair9) November 24, 2022

Despite the difficulty of saying goodbye, Grimshaw pushed through to deliver a sincere thank you to ACA’s loyal audience.

“We are your show and the million of you, who watch every night, know that,” she told viewers.

“Thank you. Without you, there would be no us.

“Soon you’ll all find out who’ll be in this chair next year. Please make them welcome.

“Thanks for your company. Goodnight.”