The 20 most talked-about local TV stars of 2018

GRANT DENYER: THE HIGHLIGHT OF A ROLLERCOASTER YEAR SAW GRANT SCOOP THE TV WEEK GOLD LOGIE

For a man who by his own admission likes making “silly television” and enjoys being a family entertainer, Grant showed a raw and vulnerable side when collecting his TV WEEK Gold Logie on July 1 at the event’s new home on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

With tears of joy streaming down his face, the 43-year-old, who earlier that night also won Most Popular Presenter, recalled his darkest, soul-searching moments while crediting his wife, Cheryl, for her undying support. It was a touching moment.

The win came after Grant’s show, Family Feud, for which he won the two Logies, was axed in May. Also, in March last year, Grant had a car accident that left him seriously injured and in pain.

On the upside, this year Grant started his first radio gig, and his TV unemployment was proven to be short-lived, with new show Game Of Games giving him an even bigger stage on which to shine.

As Grant was quick to tell TV WEEK earlier this year: “I’ve only ever lived life pedal to the metal!”

AMANDA KELLER: THIS YEAR, AMANDA SECURED HER LONG-OVERDUE GOLD LOGIE NOD

A staple on our screens and airwaves for decades, it wasn’t until this year that Amanda received her first TV WEEK Gold Logie nomination. Although she missed out on the gong, she scored a new gig with its winner.

Co-host of Network 10’s The Living Room and of WSFM breakfast radio show Jonesy & Amanda, the 56-year-old will now also be co-hosting the rebooted Dancing With The Stars alongside Grant Denyer.

“I could not have pictured being this busy at this time in my life,” Amanda told TV WEEK after the announcement.

“When I was offered Dancing With The Stars, I just couldn’t say no to that – I think the world needs something big and shiny and happy.”

SAM FROST: BECOMING AT HOME IN SUMMER BAY

When Australia’s original Bachelorette Sam swapped reality TV for a turn at acting, she had every right to feel the pressure and knew her first steps on the sandy beaches of Home And Away‘s Summer Bay would be pored over.

The 29-year-old took to acting like a duck to water and has been involved in some of the show’s biggest storylines. Her 2018 TV WEEK Logie nomination for the Graham Kennedy Award For Most Popular New Talent is testament to the impact she’s had.

“I can understand why people would say, ‘Hang on, isn’t that the chick from The Bachelorette, and now she’s in Home And Away?'” Sam told TV WEEK of her Logie nod.

“But people don’t see the months of gruelling hard work I did in the lead-up to it.”

JOEL CREASEY: HE WAS A LIKEABLE MR EVERYWHERE IN 2018

Whether it’s filming episodes on Ramsay Street for iconic show Neighbours, offering his quick wit on a hit new panel show, or hosting his very own brand-new reality show, Take Me Out, Joel has been able to turn his talents to it in 2018.

Turns out Joel’s big year was great news for viewers too, who couldn’t get enough of the 28-year-old’s humour and charm!

PENNY MCNAMEE: EMOTIONAL STORYLINES PROVED CLOSE TO HOME FOR THIS FAN FAVOURITE

A Summer Bay resident for a while now, it was 2018 that offered Penny possibly her most relatable storyline to date. As her alter ego Tori Morgan turned to IVF, the actress told TV WEEK she relished the opportunity to open a dialogue about fertility options and issues, having battled endometriosis.

As a single woman on a quest to become a mum, Tori’s story struck a chord with the actress and viewers.

“It’s great that we’re doing an IVF storyline, because I’ve had so many friends who have gone through it – I’ve even looked into it myself,” Penny, 35, who’s expecting her second child in March, told TV WEEK.

MADELEINE MADDEN: THE ACTRESS MADE HER PRESENCE FELT IN THE YEAR’S BEST DRAMAS

The granddaughter of Aboriginal activist Charles Perkins, Madeleine comes from a long line of overachievers and looks set to continue that theme.

The 21-year-old has had a stellar year, starring in Picnic At Hanging Rock, Mystery Road and Pine Gap. We’ll next see her in Netflix’s Tidelands with Elsa Pataky, as well in the live-action film Dora The Explorer, alongside Eva Longoria.

NICK CUMMINS: FROM LOVEABLE LARRIKIN TO VILLAIN, IT WAS A TUMULTUOUS YEAR FOR THE FORMER WALLABY

Nick, aka “The Honey Badger”, went in search of love on The Bachelor Australia this year. But what started as a sweet love affair with the Australian public – who enjoyed his quirky quips and down-to-earth demeanour – quickly turned sour.

Nick, 31, broke two hearts in the finale in deciding to pick neither Brittany Hockley nor Sophie Tieman in the final rose ceremony.

Cue public outrage and becoming one of the year’s most talked-about TV stars!

OLYMPIA VALANCE: THE ACTRESS REINVENTED HERSELF THIS YEAR

Following four years in Neighbours, Olympia left Ramsay Street to try her luck in America. Soon after, though, she was offered a role in new Aussie drama Playing For Keeps that was too good to ignore and the talented actress swiftly returned home.

Olympia, 25, shed her girl-next-door Neighbours image as sexy WAG Tahlia in PFK, which 10 has renewed for a second season. Even so, Olympia, like many Neighbours alumni, seems destined for Hollywood. She’s even signed with the same US talent agency as Chris and Liam Hemsworth.

HAZEM SHAMMAS: TOOK HIS WELL-DESERVED MOMENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT TO PUT THE FOCUS ON A TOPICAL ISSUE

Hazem’s work on the SBS miniseries Safe Harbour was exceptional, but he managed to serve up an even more memorable moment when accepting his TV WEEK Logie for Most Outstanding Supporting Actor this year.

Hazem talked passionately about his migrant journey and the importance of diversity on screen, leaving the entire room speechless.

KERRI-ANNE KENNERLEY: THE QUEEN WAS BACK IN 2018!

Everyone loves a comeback story, and Kerri-Anne’s return to morning TV certainly had tongues wagging. But Australia’s golden girl wasn’t ready to call her venture on Studio 10 a “comeback”.

“I never disappeared,” the 65-year-old told TV WEEK earlier this year. “I just didn’t do a morning show five days a week.”

Nevertheless, viewers were thrilled to see the veteran star return to the network where she launched her presenting career on Good Morning Australia in 1981.

Now, it’s as though she never left. We love KAK!

SARAH ROBERTS: THINGS HAVE BEEN ON AN UPWARD TRAJECTORY FOR HER IN 2018

From Bollywood to Hollywood and now Summer Bay, Sarah Roberts is making her mark. In 2018, the Home And Away actress continued to make waves as the feisty and rebellious Willow Harris, who prefers a motorbike to the beach.

“It’s nice to play such a tough, dynamic and powerful character,” she told TV WEEK earlier this year.

On top of her drama-filled storylines, romance flowed from screen to real life with her co-star James Stewart. The pair, who began dating earlier this year, are head over heels – and fans can’t get enough.

ASHLEIGH BREWER: HER BOLD DECISION TO LEAVE LA WAS MUSIC TO THE EARS OF H&A FANS

Fame came quickly for Ashleigh when she left Neighbours in 2014 to star in the US mega-soap The Bold And The Beautiful. But four years on and she was ready to come home to “get her hands dirty”.

With millions of fans eagerly awaiting her next move, the 27-year-old led them to Home And Away, where she’s been playing policewoman Chelsea. Sporting a new blonde look and a daring attitude, Ashleigh has been making her mark in Summer Bay.

LILY SULLIVAN: TWO GRITTY ROLES HAVE CEMENTED HER STATUS AS ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S FINEST TALENTS

When it rains, it pours, and right now for actress Lily it’s torrential.

The 25-year-old blew us away in both Romper Stomper and Picnic At Hanging Rock, cementing her status as “the next big thing”. It’s no small task to appear in two series based on very famous films in the same year, but Lily showed no sign of being overawed.

LUCY ZELIĆ: REFUSED TO CHANGE HER BELIEFS IN THE FACE OF ONLINE BULLYING

In an industry typically dominated by male broadcasters, Lucy really made her mark on the football world during SBS’s coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

After being thrust into the limelight as SBS suddenly broadcast all 64 matches live when Optus Sport’s coverage failed, Lucy, 32, who is of Croatian descent, made a point of correctly pronouncing foreign footballers’ names.

It drew plenty of criticism from viewers. The issue sparked a national conversation about race and culture, while catapulting Lucy into the limelight. The year was to end on a personal high for Lucy, with the presenter announcing she was expecting her first child with partner Corey Gameiro.

HANNAH GADSBY: WORLD DOMINATION IS NO LAUGHING MATTER FOR THIS TASMANIAN COMEDIAN

Hannah’s stand-up special on Netflix had the entire globe captivated this year. Filmed at the Sydney Opera House, the hour-long show, Nanette, redefined stand-up, interweaving deeply personal revelations about the 40-year-old’s childhood turmoil growing up gay in a fiercely homophobic neighbourhood.

The show’s brilliance stems from Hannah’s realisation that the kind of self-deprecating humour she’d relied on for years no longer interested her.

While it’s typically Australian to have a laugh at your own expense, Hannah is done with putting herself down to get a laugh. As she says towards the end of the show, “My story has value.” We couldn’t agree more.

RAY MEAGHER: AFTER AN INCREDIBLE 30-YEAR RUN, RAY CONTINUES TO MAKE A MARK IN SUMMER BAY

Since Home And Away began in 1988, Alf Stewart has remained the one constant amidst the many comings and goings – and drama – of Summer Bay. Alf’s trademark quips and broad-brimmed hat have become legend, so when rumours spread that his portrayer, Ray, was considering retirement after 30 years on the box, fans were stunned.

“I’ve had an incredible run – it feels pretty damn good,” the 74-year-old cryptically told TV WEEK at the start of this year.

In the biggest cliffhanger of 2018, which marked the series’ 30th anniversary, viewers watched as Alf fell into a dangerous sinkhole. Thankfully, he pulled through. But it did raise a question: what will happen to the show should Ray decide to leave? We just couldn’t imagine the Bay without Alf.

RARRIWUY HICK: FIGHT CLUB CAME TO WENTWORTH IN THE FORM OF HARD-HITTING RUBY

Rarriwuy is doing her best work behind bars this year, with the actress bringing some serious firepower to Wentworth as new prisoner on the block, Ruby Mitchell.

While being an inmate is no laughing matter, Rarriwuy also boasts impressive comedy chops, gaining big love for her work in Black Comedy.

YVONNE STRAHOVSKI: A YEAR OF BLESSINGS

The Sydney-born actress has been working steadily in Hollywood for a decade now, with lead roles in Chuck and Dexter in an impressive portfolio.

But then the stern and often terrifying Serena Joy Waterford in The Handmaid’s Tale came along and catapulted Yvonne to dizzying heights of stardom.

A stellar year, 2018 gave the 36-year-old her first Emmy nomination – and her own baby boy. Blessed be the fruit!

JAKE RYAN: CHALLENGING STORYLINES SAW JAKE EXCEL IN 2018

With his rugged good looks, Jake’s Robbo Shaw was always going to attract Home And Away viewers – the same way he finally stole Jasmine’s (Sam Frost) heart this year.

But having signed on to be Penny’s sperm donor, he threw himself into one of the show’s messiest love triangles. Behind his bad-boy vibe, it’s the soft side to Robbo that’s seen Jake, 35, melt our hearts.

ALI OETJEN: IT WAS A HAPPY ENDING FOR THE BACHELORETTE WHEN SHE FOUND LOVE THIRD TIME AROUND

If anyone knows what it means to put their heart on the line, it’s Ali. Dumped by Tim Robards in the first season of The Bachelor Australia in 2013, Ali returned to TV this year for Bachelor in Paradise.

Here, the 32-year-old met US The Bachelor star Grant Kemp. But their very public bust-up was followed by news that Ali was to be The Bachelorette. In a case of third time’s a charm, she fell in love with Taite Radley.