| Gretel Killeen | |
| Birth Date: | 3 February 1963 |
| Birth Place: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Years Active: | 1989–present |
| Children: | 2 |
Gretel Killeen (born 3 February 1963)[1] is an Australian comedian, television presenter, media personality and author. She is known for being the host of Big Brother Australia from its inception in 2001 until the 2007 season (including Celebrity Big Brother in 2002).[2] Killeen hosted the 2009 TV Week Logie Awards.[3]
From 1989 to 1991, Killeen was a regular on Midday with Ray Martin on the Nine Network.[4] She wrote and featured in the sketch A Town Like Dallas, a parody of the genre of soap opera.
In 1990, Terry Willesee, John Mangos and Killeen hosted Coast to Coast for the Nine Network after the departure of Graham Kennedy from the program, but the program in the new format was short-lived.
Killeen was host of Big Brother Australia, from its first season in 2001. She hosted each series up until its seventh season in 2007.
On 28 October 2007, The Sunday Telegraph reported that, as a part of a revamp of the show, Killeen was being replaced as host by Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O from 2Day FM.[5] [6] [7]
Killeen, along with Daniel MacPherson, co-hosted the Sydney New Year's Eve 2006–07 telecast and also 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.
In 2009 Killeen hosted the Logies and was lowered onto the stage in an angel costume.[3]
She played nurse Angela Mercie in two episodes of the YouTube web series The Horizon in 2013.[8]
In 2015, Killeen co-hosted ABC TV series How Not to Behave with Matt Okine.[9]
In 2019, Killeen appeared as a contestant on the Australian version of The Masked Singer as the Octopus, and was voted off in the first episode.
Killeen is a regular guest on morning/talk-shows such as; Studio 10, Sunrise, Today Australia and Today Extra Australia and The Project. Killeen has also appeared on Beauty and the Beast, Midday, SlideShow, Good Morning Australia, Celebrity Name Game, Q&A, Good News Week, You Have Been Watching and Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation.
In 2003, Killeen filled in on Nova 100's Hughesy, Kate & Dave whilst Kate Langbroek was on maternity leave.
As an author of a number of books,[10]
|
| (2001), |
|---|---|---|
Fleur Trotter series | ||
|
| |
The My Sister series | ||
|
| |
Hot Buns & Ophelia series | ||
| ||
The Very Naughty Mother series | ||
|
| |
Killeen has a cameo in the Australian film Gettin' Square as Rhonda Halliwell.[1]
Killeen appeared as the Narrator in a stage production of The Rocky Horror Show in Sydney and Melbourne in 2008 and in Sydney in 2024.[11] [12]
Killeen was born in Sydney and has 2 adult children from a previous marriage.[13]
The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Gretel Killeen won one award in that time.[14] (wins only)|-| 2000| Gretel Killeen| Female Comedy Performer of the Year| |-