Melissa Doyle's big comeback
Former Sunrise host Melissa Doyle has surprised fans with news she’s returning to Channel 7 as the new host of an iconic show.
After being axed in 2020 amid Covid-19 budget cuts, she is heading back to her former network of 25 years and has been named host of the revival of This Is Your Life.
The news comes after Doyle’s brief stint at rival network Channel 9 earlier this year, during which she presented docuseries Australia Behind Bars.
“I am honoured to continue the legacy of such an iconic program as This Is Your Life,” Doyle said in a statement.
“I can’t wait to present the Big Red Book to some of our most loved Australians and together celebrate their remarkable lives and the people and moments which mean so much to them – and to all of us.”
This Is Your Life tells the life story of a prominent figure each episode and was adapted from an American format that was first presented on radio in 1948. It was brought to Australian screens in 1975.
The program lasted just four episodes back in 2011 with Eddie McGuire as host on Channel 9, but Seven bosses are confident the revamped format will see success.
“We can’t wait to bring the format into 2022 and to welcome Mel Doyle back to Seven as its host. Mel is one of the best in the business. Intelligent, warm and engaging, she is the perfect person to present This Is Your Life and to celebrate the careers and achievements of some extraordinary Australians.”
The 52-year-old host of smoothfm Weekend Mornings first joined Seven in 1995 and memorably hosted Sunrise alongside David Koch for 11 years until 2013.
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