Australian television’s night of nights opened in true working-class style with a powerhouse performance from iconic rocker Jimmy Barnes.
The star-studded crowd was on its feet early, fired up by Barnes’ performance of his hit Working Class Man, before settling in for opening remarks from returning host Sam Pang.
Pang, hosting Australian television’s night of nights for the third consecutive year, didn’t miss a beat.
“It’s inspiring that with the world in as much turmoil as it is right now, that we as an industry have not wavered in our commitment and bravery in coming together tonight to honour ourselves,” he said.
He went on to congratulate and roast each nominee for the coveted Gold Logie and some of the commercial networks’ biggest stars – from The Voice host Sonia Kruger to 20-year Today Show veteran Karl Stefanovic and former talk show queen Kerri-Anne Kennerley.
Larry Emdur, who won the Gold Logie in 2024, wasn’t spared either, with Pang cheekily noting the presenter’s absence from this year’s nominee list.
Seven’s The Voice took out the first award of the night, winning Best Entertainment Program.
Seven TV personalities are vying for the Gold Logie – 2023 winner Sonia Kruger, Ten’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! host Julia Morris, ABC’s Lisa Millar, Lynne McGranger from Home and Away, MasterChef Australia’s Poh Ling Yeow, A Current Affair host Ally Langdon and two-time Gold Logie winner Hamish Blake, host of Lego Masters.
Pang jokingly said he was eager to hear Blake’s acceptance speech if he took out the win, predicting it would be the most “awkward speech ever”.
Presenting the award for Best Children’s Program, Blake admitted he was hoping not to win, with his wife captured shaking her head when asked if she had voted for him.
“What a unique position to be in – to fear the win,” he said.
The Gold Logie nominees hit the red carpet in Sydney before the show opened, with Yeow and Morris seen sharing a laugh as they posed for photographs ahead of the ceremony.
Home and Away favourite McGranger is widely tipped to take out the top honour, as women dominated the nominations for the coveted Gold Logie.
This year marks a milestone for the actress, who stepped away from her legacy role as Irene Roberts in March.
The star glowed as she walked the carpet, hand-in-hand with her daughter Clancy.
The red carpet was graced by Bandit and Chilli, stars of the beloved children’s cartoon Bluey.
The two-time Logie-winning series was an early winner, taking the Logie for the Best Children’s Program.
The awards will honour star Magda Szubanski with an induction into the Logies Hall of Fame, recognising almost 40 years of contributions to the industry.
The announcement comes just months after the Kath & Kim star revealed her stage four blood cancer diagnosis.
This year’s ceremony will also debut a brand-new gong, the Ray Martin Award for Most Popular News or Public Affairs Reporter.
The inaugural nominees are Nine’s Ally Langdon, Tara Brown, and Peter Overton, the ABC’s David Speers and Sarah Ferguson, and Seven’s Michael Usher.
In terms of other awards, eyes will surely be on the limited Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar, which tells the story of wellness influencer and con-woman Belle Gibson.
The series received a massive eight nominations, including Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Lead Actress in a Drama.
The 65th Logie Awards are being broadcast on the Seven Network.
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