Latest news with #TommyLittle
News.com.au
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Who is the best Aussie radio star of the 21st century?
Australia, I have a big ask. I want you to tell me who you think is the best FM radio host from the last 25 years. Personally, I think there are five who could claim the title, including one who deserves way more hype (more on that soon). Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include. It wasn't easy, and there are many talented stars who have been left out (apologies to Fitzy, Wippa, Andy Lee, Kate Langbroek, Merrick, Rosso and Matt Tilley to name just a few). I invited Mitch Churi, considered by many to be one of this country's most promising radio talents, to run through the shortlist with me. Here they are in no particular order. Hamish Blake He's arguably the funniest radio star Australia has ever known, and many have since tried to imitate what he does. 'So much commercial radio that's made today is based on Hamish and Andy, and more so Hamish Blake,' Churi said. 'He's so funny and charming.' Hamish and Andy dominated national FM radio from 2006 to 2017, creating some truly magical on-air moments that will be remembered for years to come. Carrie Bickmore Carrie had a small role on radio as a newsreader before she made it big on TV thanks to Rove and The Project. But she's arguably done some of her best work alongside Tommy Little on The Carrie and Tommy Show which has been on the Hit Network since 2017. ' She's made that jump from TV to radio which I don't think works every time,' Churi said. 'I find TV talent often struggle on radio (but) Carrie bucked the trend. She's so organic, she's so natural, she's real.' Kyle Sandilands The KIIS FM host is easily Australia's most talked about radio star. He's had many controversies over the years, but there's no denying he's one of the greatest to ever sit behind a microphone. 'He gets the craft unlike anyone else,' Churi said about Sandilands. 'He's brilliant. 'He actually taught me everything I know in radio. My first paid radio job was at KIIS FM and I was 'Mitch, the coffee bitch', a name coined by Kyle. ' I was 19 and I would make him eight lattes … a day.' Dave Hughes Hughesy started hosting a Nova show back in 2001, and enjoyed a pretty consistent radio career all the way through to late 2024 when his 2Day FM breakfast show was axed. 'He's similar to Kyle in that he doesn't hold back, he says what he wants,' Churi said about the comedian. 'There's no one like Hughesy on radio … It's that voice as well, it's so annoying but it's brilliant!' Fifi Box Fifi is adored in Melbourne where she has hosted the Fox FM breakfast show for more than 10 years. ' Fifi allows the audience to feel like we're a friend, and that's very hard to do,' Churi said. ' I remember listening to Fifi and Jules when I was in high school,' he added. 'When she went on maternity leave and had her baby, I was invested. 'I was like, 'is Fifi in labour? Has Fifi given birth?' 'It was my royal baby!' he joked. Jackie O Over the years, some have suggested that Jackie O has ridden on the coat-tails of her controversial co-host, Kyle Sandilands. It's an unfair suggestion, because Jackie is one of the most talented broadcasters Australia has ever known. 'She's the brains behind that machine,' Churi said about The Kyle and Jackie O Show. 'Jackie's smart. 'She knows the image, she knows the brand so well, and the key to their success, I think, is a genuine friendship.' Mick Molloy The popular Aussie comedian has enjoyed a long relationship with Triple M, and currently hosts the station's breakfast show in Melbourne. 'He's very smart and knows that audience like no one else,' Churi said about Molloy. 'Of all the commercial stations in Australia, the Triple M audience is very peculiar … They know exactly what they want and he (Molloy) gives it to them every time. He's a genius!' Tim Blackwell This is the radio star who in my opinion is criminally underrated. Blackwell has co-hosted the Nova drive show since 2011, and a large part of its ratings success over the years is down to him. Not only does he co-host, but he also panels the show (controls the mics, faders etc) and drives a lot of the show's content. 'The work that man does is more than any broadcaster in this country, hands down,' Churi said. 'I filled in for Tim when he was off sick a few months ago. I was panelling and I was hosting and I almost had a stroke! 'He commands that show, and I completely agree, he's slept on (underrated).' Amanda Keller I challenge you to find me one person who doesn't like Amanda Keller. Currently hosting the Gold FM breakfast show in Sydney, Keller has been one of Australia's most loved entertainers for decades. 'She's a very special talent,' Churi said about Keller. 'Amanda Keller is an intelligent woman. It's that intelligence and wit that we all wish we had, and it's also an ability to be really earnest and really honest with her audience. ' Having a breakfast radio show requires you to just lay everything bare on the table, and she is 100 per cent herself. 'She's not afraid to get on there and cry … and then the next break … she's making you laugh your ass off.' Marty Sheargold The comedian parted ways with Triple M under a cloud of controversy earlier this year, but that shouldn't erase the incredible career he had before it. Sheargold was hilarious on the legendary Nova show, Kate, Tim and Marty, and enjoyed a loyal audience when he moved to Triple M to host The Marty Sheargold Show. Mitch Churi's top three When asked to pick his three favourites from the shortlist of 10, Churi named Amanda Keller, Tim Blackwell and Jackie O. What do you think? Have your say in the poll above.
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Carrie Bickmore sizzles in skimpy bikini while on holiday with Tommy Little
Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little have once again fuelled romance rumours after going on holiday together. The pair travelled to Hayman Island with some of their colleagues from the Carrie & Tommy radio show as Bickmore stripped down to a skimpy bikini. Bickmore celebrated the trip away by sharing some pictures of herself showing off her slim physique in a hot pink bikini. Carrie shared a reel of photos from the idyllic getaway, including one where she sizzles in a hot pink-patterned bikini. She also shared a snap of herself in a low-cut dress as she headed to dinner with Little and some of their other radio station colleagues. The celebrity duo have been at the centre of rumours that there's a romance between them for months, with fans believing their on-air back and forth is far too flirty to be platonic. Rumours began after Bickmore split from her second husband, Chris Walker, in January 2023. The pair were together for more than a decade and share two daughters, Evie and Adelaide. Little, who split from ex-girlfriend Natalie Kyriacou in 2021, addressed rumours of a romance between them back in March, denying that there's any kind of spark between them. 'There have been romance rumours about Carrie and I, but unfortunately, because Carrie is in my age bracket (my Tinder age bracket is legal to dead), but I'm not in Carrie's age bracket,' he said. 'She only likes much older, powerful men.' Meanwhile, the pair both recently appeared together on the finale of The Project. The Project's longest-serving host, Bickmore, was close to tears thanking everyone she crossed paths with over 13 years. She left the show to fully devote herself to fundraising efforts for brain cancer. 'It's been ten years since my Gold Logie speech, since I started Carrie's Beanies for brain cancer and I genuinely, I wanted to raise $1m. I would not have raised over $25m if it wasn't for you guys at home watching. So thank you so much.' Comedic regular Little also went on to explain his motivation for joining the show. 'The one thing that I did want to say is to the people back home; my time on the show – which I will be forever grateful for – was just trying to make you laugh.' 'People at home, if you'd often have days where you wouldn't have a laugh – that's all I wanted to give you and I understand that it is a privilege doing what we get to do.'
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Carrie Bickmore goes on a trip to Hayman Island with Tommy Little amid persistent romance rumours and sizzles in a hot pink bikini
Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little have gone on another holiday together amid persistent rumours of a romance between the radio co-hosts. This time they have travelled to Hayman Island, which is known to be perfect for couples seeking a romantic holiday. However, the pair have been joined by their Carrie & Tommy show colleagues at the InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef, for what appears to be a work trip. Carrie shared a reel of photos from the idyllic getaway, including one where she sizzles in a hot pink patterned bikini. She also turned up the heat in an animal print low-cut dress for dinner at the hotel's restaurant. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. During the trip, the group enjoyed sunset, hikes, and several other activities. The pair, who have long been the subject of romance rumours thanks to their on-air chemistry and flirty social media exchanges, have been in each other's pockets lately. They recently returned from South Africa, where they both competed in the Big 5 Marathon to raise money for Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer charity. The pair have been at the centre of dating rumours for years after Carrie's split from long-time partner Chris Walker in 2022. Carrie recently showed her support for Tommy's career when she stepped out at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to cheer him on during one of his shows. The Hit Network star shared an image of her colleague to Instagram Stories when she went to watch one of his I'm Not Proud shows at the Comedy Theatre. In the picture, Tommy could be seen smiling on stage as he held a microphone and addressed the audience, wearing an all-black ensemble as he flashed his numerous tattoos. Carrie took the photo from the crowd and captioned it with '5-star review' alongside a hand clapping emoji and star emoji. Carrie and Tommy have made a number of appearances together of late, cuddling up at a golf tournament in Adelaide and enjoying a trip to Uluru together. She shared a sweet photo to Instagram of herself and Tommy embracing one another and smiling at the LIV golf tournament. Meanwhile, Tommy recently made a relationship confession which continued to fan the flames of romance rumours. The comedian confessed to Stellar he is very keen to start a family and settle down - even if he's not entirely ready to grow up yet.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Makeup-free Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little reignite romance rumours as they exit flight together at Sydney Airport - but why does she look so glum?
Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little have sent tongues wagging after touching down in Sydney together. The Hit Network duo, who have been fuelling romance rumours for months, arrived at Sydney Airport on Wednesday, with Carrie looking downcast as she made her way through arrivals. The former Project star went makeup-free for her flight from Melbourne, wearing her signature blonde locks in waves across her shoulders as she wheeled her luggage through the airport. Carrie wrapped up warm in a teddy faux fur jacket, which she layered over a plain white tee. She opted for comfy bottoms for the flight, choosing a pair of black trackies that boasted three white stripes down the sides. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. She finished off the casual outfit with black sneakers. Tommy also opted for a laid-back outfit for travel day, chucking on a white hooded sweater. He similarly wore comfy black track pants for the plane ride, keeping warm with a black bomber jacket paired over the fit. He added to his look with Nike sneakers and a pair of sunglasses tucked in his hoodie, ready to hide his famous visage. Carrie and Tommy have long been the subject of romance rumours thanks to their on-air chemistry and flirty social media exchanges. Carrie recently showed her support for Tommy's career when she stepped out at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to cheer him on during one of his shows. The Hit Network star shared an image of her colleague to Instagram Stories when she went to watch one of his I'm Not Proud shows at the Comedy Theatre. The pair are both set to appear on The Project's final episode on Friday. The pair are both set to appear on The Project's final episode on Friday It was revealed on Monday that the show's original stars Carrie, Charlie Pickering and Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes would be joining the panel for its final showdown. The former stars of the comedic current affairs program, which is set to leave Channel Ten this week, will return for the final episode and help wave goodbye to nearly 16 years of 'news delivered differently'. The final curtain call is set to tug on long-time viewers' heartstrings with a number of highlights from over the years. Also on the line-up will be The Project's current stars Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Sam Taunton, along with Georgie Tunny and Friday regulars Rove McManus and Susie Youssef. Resident funnyman Tommy will, of course, also make an appearance. In June, it was announced that The Project had been officially axed and would air its final episode on June 27.
News.com.au
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
The Project co-host Waleed Aly: ‘I thought about Peter Dutton'
In the wake of Waleed Aly's emotional departure from The Project, he has opened up on how he feels about the show's cancellation, working with Carrie Bickmore and Peter Helliar — and what comes next. 'The word jungle has been mentioned,' Aly told Stellar. 'Obviously I can't tell the future, but I have no intention of doing that. There are lots of other things I'll have to think about as well. 'That's actually been the strangest thing. Even in my private life, people are kind of like, 'Hey, do you want to do this?' And I'm like, 'I don't know. I actually have no idea…' Because I don't know if I'm available in July next year.' Aly, who has co-hosted the news program for a decade alongside the likes of Bickmore, Helliar, Tommy Little and Lisa Wilkinson, also spoke about the moment he learnt The Project would wrap its nearly 16-year run on Network 10 from Friday June 27. 'I only knew, for less than a week before it was public. So it was all fairly sudden,' he said. 'The hardest day was definitely the day it was announced, because that's when you are in the room with all your colleagues. 'People that you've worked with, in some cases, for more than a decade. People at really difficult stages in their lives. They've just bought a home, or they're just about to have a baby or whatever. 'This is not a unique experience to us. This is something that happens across lots of industries and in lots of workplaces, and it's sad every time.' Looking back on his time on the show, Aly told Stellar it was 'a gift' to work with Bickmore and Helliar particularly, who were at the desk with him from 2015 through 2022. During their co-hosting years together, Aly and Bickmore each won a Gold Logie and Helliar was nominated, and many have argued the show was at its apex during that time. Aly's take? 'I will leave it to others to judge when the golden age was.' As for critics of the show who have delighted in its demise and long speculated the show was on its last legs, Aly has taken their glee at its axing in his stride, saying that sort of reaction 'happens in a lot of places' and cites the political world. 'I get that because those things are a contest,' he told Stellar. 'I remember thinking about when Peter Dutton lost his seat, and how that would be so hard, because not only does he lose his job, but he loses it in a really public way and in a way that is partisan, so that there'll be a whole lot of people that are delighted about it or whatever.'
