Gretel Killeen (born 3 February 1961)[1] is an Australian television presenter, comedian, newspaper columnist, author and voice actor. Killeen is best known for being the former primary host of Big Brother Australia, from its inception in 2001 until the 2007 season (including Celebrity Big Brother in 2002).
Career
Television
Big Brother Australia
In 2000, Killeen was asked to host the Australian edition of Big Brother, beginning in 2001. Since then she has hosted each series.
In 2007 she was accused of being aggressive towards some housemates, in particular Jamie during his eviction interview after he suggested the video package shown of him crying and sitting alone was biased towards the negative.[2][3] Later she was criticised for being particularly aggressive towards Rebecca, Thomas and Jamie. Thomas, and an earlier evictee Nick, both described her attitude towards them as "passive aggressive" in post-show interviews. Killeen was also criticised for hypocrisy having aggressively questioned why Jamie did not intervene when Michelle argued with Aleisha, and yet she was receptive towards Michelle herself on her eviction, and even rationalised Michelle's behaviour during the argument.[4]
On 28 October 2007, The Sunday Telegraph reported that, as a part of a revamp of the show, Killeen had decided to leave her hosting role,[5][6] being replaced as host by Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O[7] from 2Day FM.
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Working on Big Brother has been an extraordinary, challenging and rewarding experience. I'm really proud of what we've achieved but I now have the seven-year itch and am busting to get on with a million new things, including my first feature film, which we're shooting in the new year. |
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—Gretel Killeen[7]
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The Rocky Horror Show
On 15 June 2008, The Herald Sun reported that Killeen will be narrating The Rocky Horror Picture Show stage musical in Sydney in 2008. [8]
The Weakest Link Australia
It has been reported that The Weakest Link will be brought on the Seven Network back in 2008, to be fronted by Killeen.[9]
Midday
From 1989 to 1991 Killeen was a regular on Midday with Ray Martin on the Nine Network. She featured in the popular weekly sketch A Town Like Dallas.
Other television roles
Killeen, along with Daniel MacPherson, hosted the 2006 New Years Eve Countdown Live on the Ten Network. Killeen hosted the Australia Day-eve celebrations on 25 January 2006. She was also the host of Ten's coverage of the Australia Day ceremony in 2007.
Literary works
As an author of a number of books, most for children, Killeen has penned:
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Fleur Trotter series
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The My Sister series
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Hot Buns & Ophelia series
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The Very Naughty Mother series
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Movie roles
Killeen has a cameo in the Australian film Gettin' Square as Rhonda Halliwell.[1] On 28 October 2007, Killeen mentioned a first-time role in feature film to be shot in 2008.[7]
Voice work
Killeen has performed a number of voiceover works.citation needed
References
External links
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