Australian A Current Affair (ACA) host Tracey Grimshaw has opened up about some “brutal” advice she received while trying to start her career as a television presenter at just 21 years old.
The advice given to a young Grimshaw was to marry rich as she likely won’t have a job in the field once she hits 40.
Speaking with Sydney’s 2GB radio host, Rady Hadley, Grimshaw said the shocking advice came from a cameraman.
“Cameramen are quite brutal, quite blunt they certainly don’t pull any punches,” Grimshaw said.
“This guy said to me, ‘You should marry that rich boyfriend that you’ve got because you’re not gonna have a long career because you certainly won’t be here when you’re 40’.
“I’m 21 years old and I am thinking ‘well 40 is pretty ancient, well I want to be out the door when I’m 40 I reckon’.
“And then I kinda liked it.”
“Despite the sexist advice she’d received at the beginning of her career, Grimshaw assured viewers she wasn’t “being shoved out the door by the boys club” because she was “too old” in her retirement announcement.
“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.
“I was just a kid in 1971 when Mike Willesee started it and in our family, it was required viewing each night as Michael either forensically dismantled some politician or maybe laughed along with Hoges.
“Back then, I was going to be a vet or a flight attendant so if you’d told me that one day I’d sit in this chair, let alone occupy it for 17 years, I’d have thought you were mad. Well lucky me.
“You’ve let me indulge my love of interviewing here. I’ve talked to people who’ve made us all laugh and cry, who’ve shared their triumphs and their challenges and their wisdom and despair.
“And because it’s your show, not mine, and you get to vote each night with your remote control, you told us you wanted more of that. So thank you for that opportunity.
“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.”
It is still unknown who will replace the veteran journalist as the host of ACA.