Deb Knight is all class

Deb Knight has conceded she would have loved the permanent gig on the Today show, but has nothing but praise for Georgie Gardner & Lisa Wilkinson.

TV Tonight readers in recent months noted Knight’s professionalism during an uncertain period for Nine’s morning show, and her comments today to news.com.au, only reiterate what a class act she is.

Knight was given less than a day’s notice she would be co-hosting Today last October after Wilkinson’s sudden exit.

“That whole three month period when I was in the host’s chair, I just took the attitude that I just had to put my head down and get on with it and not be distracted by the rumour and talk of who would be going into the role permanently,” Knight said.

When asked if she would have liked to have landed the gig, Knight said, “absolutely!”

“It’s the pinnacle of television from my point of view because it has got such a vast amount of variety … The content that you’re dealing with is varied and it’s challenging and it’s all so much fun. It’s a very fast moving show and every morning’s different and it’s just a terrific crew of people both in front of camera and behind the camera who all give it their all every day.”

But she also praised Georgie Gardner who ultimately took the vacant chair.

“I knew that Georgie was the frontrunner and that she was just going to do a terrific job because of her experience on the show and her as an individual. Once I knew that Georgie was interested and the frontrunner I kind of knew that she would get the role, to be honest. It was hers to say no to.”

Knight is now reading Nine News in Sydney on Fridays and Saturdays and continues to fill in at Today and Today Extra.