"You have done it your way:" Karl's send-off for Tracy Grimshaw
Karl Stefanovic has paid tribute to his colleague Tracy Grimshaw following her shock bombshell announcement of retiring as host of A Current Affair.
Grimshaw has been the face of the show for a whopping 17 years and shocked audiences when she announced she is stepping down at the end of the year and going on an extended break.
Stefanovic reminisced about his time with Grimshaw, who at one point was his co-host, and congratulated her on her work on the news program saying she “is the best” he’d seen.
"There are few interviewers in this country that are as balanced, as incisive, as well briefed and as well loved," he said.
"You have made your mark, Tracy Grimshaw, and you have done it your way."
He also revealed some of the advice he received from the veteran journalist, who told him that it was a tough industry to be a part of.
"She told me to stop being needy and grow up, because the industry will not be easy if you are soft - and it wasn't," he said.
Karl pointed out Tracy’s infamous eyebrow raise - which he said instilled fear in viewers as they watched the program.
Tracy dropped the bombshell news on September 5, saying she wanted her viewers to hear it from her first.
“Normally right about now we'd be telling you what to expect tomorrow night but lately I've personally been thinking longer term, and I have some news that I wanted you to hear from me before you hear it from anyone else," she said.
"I've decided to finish up with A Current Affair this year.
"It's been a big decision and before the gossip websites start telling you rubbish, I want you to know it's been my decision alone and I'm not being shoved out the door by the boys club because I'm too old.
"I'm not too old, I'm just a bit tired. And for the record both the boys and the girls have asked me to stay.
"But I've basically been a shift worker for 26 years, driving to work before dawn for nine years on the Today Show, and the past 17 years driving home after dark here on A Current Affair and it's time for less of that daily obligation."
Images: Nine