Nadine Chalmers-Ross said a tearful goodbye to TVNZ Breakfast viewers this morning, as the show prepares to welcome new hosts Jack Tame and Hilary Barry on Monday.
The 30-year-old, who has worked on the TV One show for eight years, was overwhelmed as she signed off for the last time
“I don’t want to say too much, because I will cry – a lot. And it isn’t the Oscars, is it?” she joked.
“I do feel like I have grown up on this show.
“Careers have many acts, and I don’t think the curtain has come down on mine yet.”
Nadine paid tribute to the team who work on Breakfast, and said she had no doubt the new show would be a success.
But she saved her “biggest thank you” for her her fiance, Dan Higgins.
“I knew I was marrying a gem, and he has proved I was right.”
Before her goodbye, tributes flowed for the talented journalist from colleagues and viewers alike.
Long-time co-star Sam Wallace made fun of the gorgeous outfit she wore for her last day, calling it a “wedding dress”, before telling her how much he has loved working alongside her.
“Someone as gorgeous as you, someone as talented as you. You are, as a presenter, all the things that I’m not. Accurate, concise, organised. You are just going to fly,” he sweetly told her.
Weather presenter Renee Wright almost broke down in tears as she said goodbye to her “selfie partner in crime”, calling Nadine a “superstar”, while Tim Wilson labelled her “graceful and sophisticated”.
On Instagram, one fan wrote: “So sad you are leaving. Hope we see you on our tellys again. All the best.”
While another said: “Enjoy this next chapter beautiful lady.. You’ve outdone that place and the future will be exciting.. Nothing but great vibes and normal sleeps from now!”
In her tearful goodbye, Nadine recogonised their kind words.
“Thank you to the hundreds and hundreds of people who have got in touch. I am thankful you have had me in your living room and tolerating my missteps!” she said.
One thing Nadine might not miss is the 3am wake up, even admiting she was looking forward to a sleep in and a holiday.
“I’ve perfected the art of party sleeping,” Nadine told Woman’s Day earlier this year.
“It means I can still go out at the weekends, but when I can’t keep my eyes open any longer, I find a couch in the corner and fall asleep until Dan is ready to go home. My friends have all got used to it and sometimes someone will even throw a blanket over me!”
Nadine’s co-host, Rawdon Christie, finished his 13-year tenure on the show last week. The show’s news reader, Peter Williams, also left last week, however he will remain with TV One as a weekend newsreader.
Former Newshub and Paul Henry show presenter Hilary Barry will team up with TVNZ’s former US correspondent Jack Tame from Monday morning.
Former Sever Sharp and Fair Go regular Brodie Kane will join the pair as a sports reporter, and Sam Wallace is also sticking around.
