TVNZ confirms new Seven Sharp lineup

Publish Date
Wednesday, 31 January 2018, 1:31PM

After weeks of speculation and rumour, TVNZ has finally confirmed Jeremy Wells will join Hilary Barry as the new hosts of Seven Sharp.

The pair will make their on-screen debut together when the series returns to air on Monday.

The announcement comes after widespread reports last week that Wells had been offered a contract by the state broadcaster.

A post shared by Jeremy Wells (@jeremywells77) on

Spy first suggested Wells would make a good replacement last year, when Hosking announced his sudden departure from the show.

Wells has long-relished mocking Hosking in the Radio Hauraki series Like Mike, in which he parodies the broadcasting titan.

But what began as a joke quickly became reality as Wells was invited to screen test for the role, reportedly impressing TVNZ bosses.

Wells, who is known for his satire and pushing broadcasting boundaries on his Hauraki Breakfast show with Matt Heath, represents a new direction for Seven Sharp and TVNZ, which traditionally favours more conservative hosts.

Wells previously hosted Eating Media Lunch on TV2, which was an ongoing magnet for Broadcasting Standards Authority complaints. Likewise, he and Heath have attracted their fair share of formal complaints, with one stunt resulting in NZME being fined $8000.

A post shared by Jeremy Wells (@jeremywells77) on

In November 2016, the BSA ruled Heath and Wells seriously breached standards when they intentionally broadcast live a phone call from Deborah Stokes, who had asked to make a complaint off-air.

The Seven Sharp desk was left vacant last year when Hosking and Toni Street surprised viewers with news they would not return in the new year.

Together, Barry and Wells mark a new era for the 7pm slot, which has long been considered the most prestigious role in broadcasting, ever since Paul Holmes debuted the top-rating Holmes programme in 1989.

 

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission.

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