Allison Langdon is officially leaving the Today show to host A Current Affair over the New Year, following the shock departure of Tracy Grimshaw.
Channel Nine revealed on Sunday that 60 Minutes reporter Sarah Abo would step in to fill Langdon’s place alongside Karl Stefanovic as the new co-host for Today.
“I’m thrilled to join the wonderful and hard-working team at Today, who manage to bring the nation up to date every morning while having fun,” Sarah, 35, said in a press release.
60 Minutes reporter Sarah Abo (pictured) is set to replace Allison Langdon as the new Today co-host alongside Karl Stefanovic
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work alongside some of the country’s best journalists at 60 Minutes and travel the country and the world bringing stories to Australian audiences,” she continued.
“It’s an absolute privilege to meet so many inspiring people and help tell their stories. I look forward to putting everything I’ve learned from these incredible experiences into my new role at Today.
“The 3 a.m. alarm will be an adjustment, but I can’t wait to keep Karl on his toes. I know Ally will have a successful move to ACA and I can’t wait to see her in the chair.”
Allison Langdon (pictured) jumped ship from the Today show to join A Current Affair, leaving her seat at the breakfast table open to a new face
Sarah has become a familiar face on the top-rated breakfast program, recently replacing Allison on several occasions. Photographed alongside Karl Stefanovic
She will join the Today show team of Karl Stefanovic, Alex Cullen, Brooke Boney and Tim Davies on Monday, January 16, 2023.
Sarah has become a familiar face on the top-rated breakfast program, recently replacing Allison on several occasions.
Stefanovic said that while he would “miss” his former co-star Langdon, he was thrilled to work with Abo.
“Ally has been extraordinary over the past three years,” he said in a press release on Sunday.
“I’m thrilled to join today’s wonderful and hard-working team, who manage to update the nation every morning while having a lot of fun,” Sarah, 35, said on Sunday.
“Combating difficult personal physical obstacles to broadcast around the country during really difficult times. She is an amazing animator and I will miss working with her immensely. However, I will not miss her dance,” he joked.
‘Fortunately, Sarah is a gifted dancer and singer. Most importantly, she’s a brilliant interviewer and has the wickedest sense of humor. I can’t wait for the country to discover all these wonderful qualities every day at breakfast.
Nine’s Morning Television director Steven Burling called Abo’s appointment “a massive coup for today”.
Adding: ‘Sarah has been outstanding in the chairmanship of Today hosting for the past 12 months when she replaced Ally.
Stefanovic said while he will ‘miss’ Langdon, he is delighted to work with Abo
“Sarah’s reputation precedes her; she’s a compelling interviewer and reporter, as we’ve seen, not only on 60 Minutes, but also during her time at SBS and Ten.
“Professionally, she is at the top of her game and, just as importantly, Sarah is an incredible person who will help drive Today to continued success in 2023. We are very lucky to have Sarah on our team.”
Sarah began her career at Network Ten, spending two years in the Adelaide newsroom before returning to Melbourne and, in 2013, joining SBS as a reporter and presenter.
She has covered major international events, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the Paris Climate Conference in 2015, the 2016 US presidential election and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, as well as the crisis in 2017-2018 refugees in Lebanon, Turkey and Greece.
Since joining 60 Minutes in 2019, Sarah has covered major investigations and interviewed former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair
Since joining 60 Minutes in 2019, Sarah has covered major investigations and interviewed former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed, and secured Australia’s first interviews with climate activist Greta Thunberg , Ukrainian First Lady Olena Volodymyrivna Zelenska and one of the Taliban’s most powerful leader, Suhail Shaheen.
Sarah was born in Damascus, Syria and moved to Australia with her family when she was four years old.
Melbournen at heart, Sarah will be based in Sydney for Today.
Langdon will step into the coveted role of A Current Affair in New Years, following the departure of longtime host Tracy Grimshaw in September.
Langdon will step into the coveted role of A Current Affair in New Years, following the departure of longtime host Tracy Grimshaw (pictured) in September