Gold Logie nominees Grant Denyer, Tracy Grimshaw, Amanda Keller, Rodger Corser and Jessica Marais.
Camera IconGold Logie nominees Grant Denyer, Tracy Grimshaw, Amanda Keller, Rodger Corser and Jessica Marais. Credit: News Limited, Nigel Hallett

Logies shift to Gold Coast gives awards a lift as votes roll in

Amy Price, Astrid Taemets, Kristy SymondsThe Courier-Mail

SHIFTING the Logies to the Gold Coast has been credited with sparking a flurry of public votes.

In a coup for the new Glitter Strip location, TV Week editor Thomas Woodgate said more public votes had been received than last year, in the first promising sign for the revamped event.

Home and Away’s Sam Frost was surprised by her nomination.
Camera IconHome and Away’s Sam Frost was surprised by her nomination. Credit: News Limited, Nigel Hallett

A string of nominated stars, including Home and Away’s Sam Frost and Sophie Dillman, ABC’s Luke McGregor, Married at First Sight’s Dean Wells and Ryan Gallagher and former Bachelor turned The Living Room presenter “Matty J” Johnson jetted into the Sunshine State for the nomination event at Nineteen At The Star.

It was just a taste of what the industry expects Queensland to deliver when it hosts the glitzy affair for the first time on July 1.

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Speaking of the ceremony, Woodgate said “big name” international guests and performers were being finalised, promising the “most memorable Logies we’ve ever had”.

“We’ll make an announcement soon about a performer and international guests – emphasising the plural. We will have some very exciting musical guests,” he said.

Actor Luke McGregor flew in for the nomination party.
Camera IconActor Luke McGregor flew in for the nomination party. Credit: AAP, AAP/Darren England

“The Logies are going to be very different, full stop. The red carpet is going to look very different; the whole event is going to feel very different.

“It’s all about being bigger and better than ever before. We want to make a statement.

“We are expecting a couple of really big names between now and July 1.”

Woodgate said Hit 105’s Dave Hughes, who usually opens the show, was yet to confirm his involvement in the ceremony, which is during a radio ratings break.

“My feeling is, we probably won’t have a host. We will have someone like Dave Hughes open the show. We’ve got to ask Dave if he is available. He’s been nominated now, so I’d like to think he would be there,” Woodgate said.

Hughesy, We Have a Problem was nominated for most popular comedy program.

While MAFS star Ashley Irvin was in attendance, co-star Wells, who has buried the hatchet with Gallagher, said he and Tracey Jewel had spoken, but there was no romantic reconnection.

“We talk a little bit every now and then. We are civil. We are friends. That’s about it,” he said.

Home and Away’s Frost and Dillman were both nominated for the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent.

Matty Johnson of The Living Room at the nomination party at The Star on the Gold Coast.
Camera IconMatty Johnson of The Living Room at the nomination party at The Star on the Gold Coast. Credit: AAP, AAP/Darren England

Speaking to Confidential, Frost said she was surprised by her nomination in the category.

“I’m really excited about it, and I feel incredibly honoured,” she said. “But I think Dillman deserves it more than me.

“She’s one of the hardest- working people I know. I expected her to be nominated, but not me.”

Dillman, who hails from Queensland, said she was thrilled that this year’s Logie Awards were on the Gold Coast.

“It’s great to have it on my home turf,” she said

Gold Logie nomineeJessica Marais, who was there for the announcement, said taking on two lead roles – in Love Child and The Wrong Girl – had been a strain.

“It’s been lovely to have some time to do other things and recalibrate,” she told Confidential.

She said she had taken time to enjoy being a mother to daughter Scout and was working on projects in both film and television.

Fellow Gold Logie nominees Grant Denyer, Amanda Keller, Rodger Corser and Tracy Grimshaw were all in attendance, alongside Dr Chris Brown, Miguel Maestre and Aaron Jeffery.

STARS APPLUAD THE GLITTER STRIP

Grant Denyer says Queensland’s passion suggests the Logies will be spectacular.
Camera IconGrant Denyer says Queensland’s passion suggests the Logies will be spectacular. Credit: News Corp Australia, Jerad Williams

TELEVISION’S biggest stars are set to party harder than ever when the Logies hit the Gold Coast – out of Melbourne for the first time – in July.

A number of celebrities at yesterday’s nomination event at Nineteen At The Star dubbed the Gold Coast and TV’s night of nights a perfect match.

Gold Logie nominee Grant Denyer applauded Queensland’s pursuit of the hosting gig, saying the state’s passion indicated the event would be spectacular.

“The Logie Awards are so important to us as an industry, so it is great,” he said.

Fellow nominee Amanda Keller said the Coast’s party atmosphere made it a brilliant location. “There is a party feeling here, but it is also more relaxed in some ways,” she said.

Also up for a Gold Logie, actor Rodger Corser said he was happy to see the event in Queensland – despite being a Melbourne man.

“I love Melbourne, and I will always back it, but it is great for the Gold Coast, and it’s a perfect location,” he said. “Who wouldn’t want to come up here early (ahead of the event) and hang out?”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said, “I know how our city can party long and hard”, while Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the celebrity attendance would shine a spotlight on the Gold Coast once more and encourage people to visit.

“Pictures of the Gold Coast will be beamed into viewers’ homes right around Australia,” she said. “We know from the Commonwealth Games, this kind of exposure pays off when it comes to driving visitors to Queensland.

“What better place to host TV’s night of nights than the Glitter Strip?”

Originally published as Gold Coast gives Logies a lift