The leading contender to replace axed 9News presenter Georgie Gardner has been revealed, with A Current Affair co-host Deborah Knight emerging as the frontrunner for the coveted weekend news role.
Knight, 53, is tipped to be officially named as Gardner's replacement by Monday night, according to Media Diary.
She is said to have narrowly beaten veteran presenter Mark Burrows for the position.
The veteran presenter has over three decades of experience and worked alongside Gardner on the Today show from 2011 to 2014.
Last month, it was revealed that 60 Minutes reporter Amelia Adams was the leading contender for the role, but she is understood to no longer be in the running.
The shake-up follows Gardner's final 9News Sydney bulletin last month, where the veteran broadcaster, 55, fought back tears as she signed off after more than three decades in the industry.
"Watching that reel is a reminder of what hideous hair I've had over the years... also how much fun I've had," she quipped, after a montage of her career played.
She went on to reflect on the responsibility of delivering the news, describing it as "an enormous privilege" and thanking viewers for their trust over the years.
The veteran broadcaster was almost overcome with emotion as she bid farewell to viewers.
Weather presenter Sophie Walsh spoke about the influence she had on her own career.
"Tonight [is] a sad night for all of us here at Nine, as Georgie, you read your last bulletin. The place isn't going to be the same without you – I'm going to get a little emotional here," Sophie said, fighting back tears.
Prior to her final farewell, a montage package played, showing highlights from Gardner's long and storied career as Cold Chisel's Ian Moss played the classic "Georgia On My Mind" over the footage.
An emotional Georgie said that she was "blown away" by her colleagues' words.
"The pace and the complexity of the news cycle, and how delivering it to you, has been just such an enormous privilege," she said.
Gardner announced her departure in March, thanking Nine for her long and varied career, and expressing her gratitude to colleagues and viewers.
The presenter joined Channel Nine in 2002, before eventually being appointed the primary presenter for the 6pm Friday and Saturday bulletins, replacing Mark Ferguson.
In 2006, she replaced Leila McKinnon on National Nine News Morning Edition and would go on to work on Today for eight years.
She left her role at Today in 2014 to spend more time with her family, before later returning to replace Lisa Wilkinson as co-host alongside Stefanovic.
Gardner later co-hosted the show with Deborah Knight in 2019 before Stefanovic returned in 2020 with co-host Allison Langdon.
