"It's been a great privilege": Eddie McGuire delivers sad Millionaire Hot Seat news
Veteran host Eddie McGuire has announced that Millionaire Hot Seat will be taking a break at the end of January 2024.
During a broadcast on 3AW, McGuire expressed both pride and sadness as he conveyed his gratitude to fans for their unwavering support over the years. McGuire revealed that a new show would be introduced in place of Millionaire Hot Seat at 5 o'clock on the Nine network after the 25th-anniversary milestone is reached in 2024.
"It's with great pride and joy and also sadness that I announce this morning that Millionaire Hot Seat will go into hiatus at the end of January next year," McGuire announced. "We will finish off this year and there'll be a replacement show at five 'clock on the Nine network after we hit our 25th anniversary when we go into 2024.
"I've had the privilege of being in everybody's lounge room for a long time every night at 5 o'clock and I love the fact that so many people come and say, 'I sit there with my grandparents and we did these things together'. It's been a great privilege."
Reflecting on the show's impact, McGuire highlighted its multicultural appeal and the moments of personal significance shared by contestants. He recounted the touching story of a contestant who won $250,000 during the global financial crisis, and how the prize money was life-saving for him, preventing him from having to sell his house.
Since its debut on April 20, 2009, Millionaire Hot Seat has become Australia's longest-running quiz show and the sole program in the country where contestants have the chance to win $1 million. Throughout its impressive 11-year run, the show has given away over $40 million and aired a remarkable 2500 episodes.
Eddie McGuire's association with the show dates back to 1999 when he began hosting Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, which later evolved into the daily version known as Millionaire Hot Seat in 2009.
The show has been a life-changing experience for many, with individuals like Edwin Daly and Antony McManus winning the top prize of $1 million. McManus, a retail worker from Melbourne, expressed how winning the show transformed his life, allowing him to purchase a beautiful apartment outright and secure a brighter future for himself and his husband.
As the era of Millionaire Hot Seat comes to a temporary close, fans can look back on the show's incredible legacy and the profound impact it has had on countless lives.
Eddie McGuire thanked everyone for their support, marking the end of an era while also anticipating the exciting new show that will take its place.
Image: Nine Network