NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR COAST LOGIES
PROPERTY guru Andrew Winter will fly the flag for the home team when the 2018 Logies Awards move to the Gold Coast.
The first Foxtel personality to be nominated for TV’s top honour, the Gold Logie, Winter is one of six nominees in the running to be crowned the most popular personality on Australian TV when the awards move to The Star Gold Coast on July 1.
While Love It Or List It Australia and Selling Houses Australia host Winter lives at Sanctuary Cove, he was unable to attend yesterday’s nominations party at rooftop venue Nineteen at The Star as he is suffering a severe case of Bell’s Palsy.
“It is a thrill to be nominated, but not so great timing I guess,” he said.
“I have been off work for about three weeks now. I am hoping that I can get back to filming in a week or so.”
Winter said his nomination was a win for not only him, but for the team who produce his shows.
“I will be at the awards even if I have to do a Sia and turn my head to the cameras all night,” he said.
Grant Denyer, Tracy Grimshaw, Amanda Keller, Rodger Corser and Jessica Marais are also up for the public-voted Gold Logie.
A Current Affair host Grimshaw’s nomination follows a heavy promotional campaign by Nine while former Gold Coast go-getter Denyer was nominated despite Ten’s plan to axe his game show Family Feud.
Grimshaw, The Living Room host Keller, Denyer and Winter have also been nominated for most popular presenter, alongside former Gold Logie winner Carrie Bickmore.
Grimshaw also picked up a nomination for her interview with disgraced TV gardener Don Burke.
“I still can’t quite believe it. I never quite imagined myself in this space,” Grimshaw said. “It’s a great honour and it’s a thrill, and it’s a pleasure.”
Denyer, Grimshaw, Keller, Love Child and The Wrong Girl star Marais and Doctor Doctor favourite Rodger Corser all travelled to the Coast for yesterday’s nominations party, co-hosted by Ten’s Angela Bishop and former proud local, Today presenter Sylvia Jeffreys.
Home & Away recruit Sam Frost, Underbelly Files: Chopper star Aaron Jeffrey,
Sixty Minutes reporter Tara Brown and comedian turned actor Luke McGregor were also there, along with
Married at First Sight cast members Ashley Irwin, Cheryl Maitland, Dean Wells and Ryan Gallagher and Living Roomers Barry Du Bois, Miguel Maestre and Dr Chris Brown.
The Project was nominated for most popular entertainment program but none of its stars made the list of Gold Logie contenders.
While the show’s copresenters Lisa Wilkinson, Peter Helliar and 2016 Gold Logie winner Waleed Aly were snubbed, 2015 Gold Logie winner Carrie Bickmore is up for most popular presenter against Grimshaw, Denyer, Keller and Winter.
The equivalent of Christmas for the on-camera and behind-the-scenes family that is the Australian TV industry, this year’s 60th annual Logies ceremony was lured north from Melbourne by the Queensland Government.
“I am proud to welcome all the nominees for TV’s night of nights to the beautiful Gold Coast,” Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones said.
“The Gold Coast is still buzzing from hosting the Commonwealth Games – and now anticipation is building for this year’s premier awards night.”
SEE THE GALLERY AND FULL LIST OF NOMINATIONS goldcoastbulletin.com.au
I NEVER QUITE IMAGINED MYSELF IN THIS SPACE. TRACY GRIMSHAW