Tracy Grimshaw is one of the most famous woman on our television screens – but she’s also fiercely protective of her private life, and reluctant to share the secret of her incredible transformation.
But a close friend has spilled the beans on how the A Current Affair presenter managed to slim down and defy the ageing process in just six weeks – as she prepares for a career-defining moment if she’s crowned queen of Australia TV this Sunday at the TV WEEK Logie Awards.
“Tracy hates talking about her weight, but I do know she’s dropped about five kilos since she was announced as one of the Gold Logie nominees,” shares her friend.
“She works when everyone else is eating dinner, so she does often order takeaway. But she’s cut down on the fast food and has been stricter with her diet. She’s a pescatarian [doesn’t eat meat, only fish] and when she can, she eats very healthily.”
Tracy Grimshaw, who spends her free time on a small farm property on Sydney’s north-western outskirts with her beloved horses and dogs, has also made extra time for exercising her horses and walking to keep fit, which has helped her slim down.
Want more celeb gossip? Listen to the latest episode of the Woman’s Day Uncensored podcast, where the team take you inside the Woman’s Day picture meeting, reveal what’s really happening on the set of the Today Show, plus they discuss the Tziporah Malkah slim-down photos everyone’s talking about.
“She walks a lot and she does a lot of the maintenance on her property herself, which is great exercise. And that’s on top of riding her horses, which helps keep her fitness up. I think she’s probably in the best shape she’s been in for years,” says the friend.
The third simple step Tracy has taken to achieve her incredible transformation is change her hair and makeup. She has adopted a much longer, softer and more flattering hairstyle, and has opted for a warmer colour palette for her face.
“Tracy hates all the personal attention she gets, but she knows she’s going to be centrestage at the Logies and, yes, she wants to look her best,” her friend says.
(L-R) Before and after: The ACA host is looking amazing as she prepares for the TV WEEK Logie Awards.
“That said, she’s extremely comfortable in her own skin and isn’t obsessed about her weight or looks, which is why she’s such a great role model.”
Tracy is the red-hot favourite to take out the Gold Logie at the awards ceremony to be held on the Gold Coast on Sunday. Last week, Sportsbet reduced her odds from $2.50 to $1.70, with the journalist also nominated in another two categories.
“I think I’m still getting my head around it,” Tracy told lifestyle network 9Honey.
“It’s very flattering and it’s quite overwhelming really when you think about how many people had to bother to log on, and then go through the whole process to vote for me to make it into the final contingent. It’s a thrill.”
Going for gold! “Tracy hates all the personal attention she gets, but she knows she’s going to be centrestage at the Logies and, yes, she wants to look her best,” our source says.
But close friends last week also revealed Tracy’s golden moment may become her swansong. They say the she’s seriously considering quitting ACA at the end of this year, despite Nine begging her to stay.
“This honour, and the extraordinary year she’s had bagging some of the biggest interviews of her career, has given her a new lease of life, but she’s been toying with retiring for the past two years,” says a friend.
“I could see her stepping down from ACA and taking up a role at 60 Minutes where she could do what she loves most – the big interviews,” adds the friend.
“I know Nine would hate to lose her completely.”
The popular host is considering quitting ACA at the end of this year.
Who could replace Tracy at ACA?
Michael Usher, 49
Michael presents Seven News in Sydney on Friday and Saturday nights.
He was poached from Nine’s 60 Minutes for a rumoured $1 million salary two years ago, but didn’t burn his bridges and is well-liked and respected by management at both Seven and Nine.
He’s a good choice for ACA, combining likeability and gravitas.
Michael Usher is one of Seven’s most popular presenters.
Sylvia Jeffreys, 32
Sylvia is news presenter on Nine’s Today. The wounds from Ubergate (when her husband Peter Stefanovic slammed colleagues) continue to fester, and Sylvia is being quietly tipped internally as the prime candidate to replace Tracy.
She’s also highly rated by ACA executive producer Steven Burling.
Sylvia’s a huge hit with viewers.
Karl Stefanovic, 43
Today co-host Karl Stefanovic, previously the top choice to replace Tracy, has been blamed for the morning show’s recent decline in ratings.
He’s now considered only a minor contender, because he has lost so much support, particularly from Australian women, who make up the bulk of ACA’s viewers.
The former Nine topdog’s popularity has taken a massive battering after #Ubergate.
Allison Langdon, 39
Her chemistry with Peter Stefanovic on Weekend Today is almost non-existent, but she has a great reputation as an interviewer during her years on 60 Minutes.
It’s expected Today and Weekend Today will have another shake-up at the end of the year, so she is well placed to step into Tracy’s shoes.
She has a great reputation as an interviewer.
Cameron Williams, 55
The Nine News sports presenter is very popular with viewers and has successfully filled in as a summer host of ACA in the past.
His many years on Today and Wide World Of Sports, plus his warmth as a presenter, have won him a legion of fans, so he’s seen as a viable replacement for Tracy.
Could the Sports hound be the one to watch?
