Dancing with the Stars judge Tristan McManus is set to join the Studio 10 team after a slew of the show’s stars were dropped as part of a major shake-up to cut costs at Network 10.
MacManus will join Harris, Narelda Jacobs and Angela Bishop, as well as contributors Denise Drysdale, Jono Coleman and Craig Bennett after it was announced nearly one month ago that Kerri-Anne Kennerly, Natarsha Belling and weatherman Tim Bailey would be axed as part of the network “restructuring its News and Operations department”.
The network is still in discussions with journalist Joe Hildebrand about his role on Studio 10, which airs live on weekdays between 8 am and noon.
“I’ve always had aspirations to be a host of some sort,” said Irish-born MacManus, according to SMH.
“Although people know me as a dancer, I think my mouth usually works better than my feet do,” he said. “This opportunity came out of the blue and I’m really excited to be working with Sarah and learning from her.”
Host Sarah Harris addressed the news that several of her colleagues would be leaving the network at the time of the announcement, telling viewers at the time:
“You’ve probably read all about the cuts that have had to be made here at the network. It is all true. In a few months time, Studio 10 will look very different to it does now. We’re losing colleagues, mates, we’re losing family members essentially. How is everyone doing?” she asked.
Controversial host Kerri-Anne, who was axed by the network along with 25 others, then gave an emotional farewell speech, while saying she was “grateful” for her time on the morning show.
“I just know I’m back on the ‘lazy Susan’ of television,” she began. “Yeah, it’s very very tough for a lot of people.”
“But I’ve always worked on a personal level, the Charles Darwin theory that says to survive you don’t need to be the most intelligent. You don’t have to be the strongest, but you have to be, to survive, the most adaptable.”
She added, “The reason I have got this outfit on today is because if you are being run out of town, get in front of the crowd and make it look like a parade,” she said in reference to her marching band-style jacket.
“Companies do these sort of cuts to make the business better, which in the long run saves a lot more jobs,” Kennerley continued. “I am very, very sad because I will miss you guys and miss the audience, miss the feedback but that said, it is what it is. You just have to suck it up and move on.”
McManus will reportedly start his new role on Studio 10 on September 14th.
