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"Roaring with laughter": Joh Griggs spills on embarrassing career moment

<p>As a former Olympic swimmer and now beloved host of <em>Better Homes and Gardens</em>, Johanna Griggs clearly has a lot of talent. </p> <p>But there's one thing she admitted she can not do - act. </p> <p>She jokingly described her brief appearance as a Swedish tourist on <em>Home and Away</em> in 1992 as a form of “torture”, and recalled the moment she realised impersonating others was just not for her. </p> <p>“I was working with Nicolle Dickson (who played Bobby), who was so much shorter than me, and we’d get to the end of every take and just be roaring with laughter,” she said in an interview with <em>TV Week</em>. </p> <p>“In my head I was like, ‘mortifyingly terrible!’</p> <p>“I don’t know how anyone pretends to be someone else.</p> <p>“It was hilarious and mortifyingly terrible, but a good way to learn that I didn’t want to be an actor.”</p> <p>Funnily enough, after her appearance on <em>Home and Away</em>, she started getting more acting offers.</p> <p>“My manager would say to people, ‘look, we politely decline’ (and) they’d go, ‘No, no, I think there’s a real possibility here’,” she recalled.</p> <p>“And (my manager would) be like, ‘Yeah, I could send you 30 seconds of vision that would probably change your mind’.”</p> <p>Griggs has since realised that she as better off just being herself, and has had a successful career being the host of Better Homes and Gardens for 20 of its 30 years on air.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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"One step forward, two steps back": Joh Griggs reveals debilitating health battle

<p>Johanna Griggs has revealed how she overcame a debilitating health struggle that threatened to derail her career as a teenager. </p> <p>The former swimming champion won her first medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1990 at 16 years of age, but just one year later, her world changed forever. </p> <p>In a new interview with <em>Prevention magazine</em>, the <em>Better Homes & Gardens</em> host admitted that being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome at the young age of 17 was a blow, but one she ultimately felt “thankful” for.</p> <p>“You learn more about yourself during a tough period than you do during a great one,” she said.</p> <p>“One of the most important things that it taught me was to be able to be by myself and to be comfortable in my own skin.”</p> <p>With her swimming career on pause, Joh shared that the next few years were “one step forward, two steps back”.</p> <p>As a teenager, she learned the power of positive self-belief while learning what was best for her body as she worked her way back to physical and emotional strength.</p> <p>“It’s asking yourself, ‘Can you put your head on the pillow and know in your heart of hearts you’ve done everything within your power that day to get better?’,” she said of that time in her life.</p> <p>“But also, not beating yourself up on it, just working out what was working (and) what wasn’t working.”</p> <p>Over the next two and a half years, Johanna was on a highly restricted diet to combat her health issues, one that was “wheat-free, yeast-free, egg-free, malt-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, herb-free, spice-free, caffeine-free”.</p> <p>Eventually she was able to return to the pool, although she faced further setbacks, including a bout of pleurisy that landed her in hospital.</p> <p>By 1993, she was back at the top of her game, taking out the win for the 50m backstroke at the Australian Swimming Championships.</p> <p>Riding this high, Johanna decided her swimming career was over.</p> <p>“For me, it was a massive milestone to get to say I could be the best, but I also knew when I hit that (pool) wall, I did not want to keep living like that,” she said.</p> <p>“I told my mum I was retiring that night and remember her voice going up a couple of octaves higher than normal.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram </em></p>

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"It feels fabulous": Johanna Griggs on turning 50

<p>Johanna Griggs has shared her honest thoughts and feelings about turning 50, as she celebrated the milestone birthday with her nearest and dearest. </p> <p>The <em>Better Homes and Gardens</em> host shared a series of snaps from her 50th birthday celebrations, while saying she had so many people "ask me how I feel about turning 50". </p> <p>In a lengthy caption to Instagram, Joh said that she feels "fabulous" about the new stage of her life, and excited for the new chapter. </p> <p>“I wasn’t going to put this up till tonight but I’ve already had so many amazing calls and messages ... and every single person has asked me how I feel about turning 50 and what I’m doing to celebrate it,” she began the caption.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CyesWODB8b2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CyesWODB8b2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Johanna Griggs AM (@johgriggs7)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“The honest answer is — it feels fabulous, and we’ve already enjoyed incredible celebrations. Plural!"</p> <p>“I’ve never had any hang-ups about age, and just feel so lucky and grateful to have my family, friends, health and a job that I adore."</p> <p>“I absolutely love our life and everyone who is in it.”</p> <p>She shared that the past weekend was her family’s annual tennis tournament which they call Huggins Hill, where her siblings and mother gave her a “special gift”.</p> <p>"I normally do all the cooking for all our family events, including this weekend — apart from what they organised for Saturday night,” she explained.</p> <p>Joh went on to share that her family had organised caterers to cook a three-course meal for the birthday, as well as a bartender and spectacular birthday cake so Joh could spend the time with her family rather than in the kitchen. </p> <p>“I honestly spent three days just laughing, crying with happiness, and having a ball with the people I love most in my life."</p> <p>She concluded the post by saying that it is now “back to work, but with a very full and happy heart”.</p> <p>Joh's post racked up thousands of likes, while the comments were flooded with happy birthday messages from fans and famous friends. </p> <p>“We love ya Joh! Happy Birthday xx,” <em>Sunrise</em> weather presenter Sam Mac wrote.</p> <p>“Happy, happy birthday you brilliant woman ❤️🥂,” 7News sports presenter Mel McLaughlin said.</p> <div> <p>“Love this post! And have loved seeing all the photos from your celebrations. Happy Birthday again Joh - you are rocking 50,” one commenter added.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p> </div>

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Sneak peek into Grant Denyer’s countryside home

<p dir="ltr"><em>Better Homes and Gardens</em> host Johanna Griggs has shared a sneak peek into Grant Denyer’s countryside home, for an upcoming episode of the show.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Tuesday, Joh took to Instagram to share a snippet from the episode she filmed with the former <em>Sunrise</em> star, who has spent the last few years renovating his home in Bathurst.</p> <p dir="ltr">“On this week’s show @johgriggs7 catches up with @grantdenyer who has carved out a life in the countryside, renovating a stunning country home and even raising a herd of Scottish highland cows 🐮,” the caption read.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the video, Joh visited Grant’s home and took in the incredible natural views and even fed Grant’s highland cows in a unique bonding moment.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So Grant, what has more pressure, working in live TV or out here in a paddock with cows?” Joh jokingly asks in the clip.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Well, actually, there’s a lot of similarities to be honest,” Grant replied.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You’ve gotta watch your back!” he added when a cow headed straight towards a nervous-looking Joh.</p> <p dir="ltr">They then moved into Grant’s open plan living room which boasted plenty of natural light and beautiful views of the countryside.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This has got to be one of the most serene, beautiful kitchens I’ve ever seen,” Joh said as the camera panned around the kitchen.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair even joked about how big the bench top was and Grant joked that it was “5.8 Grants Denyers long.”</p> <p dir="ltr">To which Joh quipped: “and two Johannas,” which elicited a fit of giggles among the two.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuiPOI9B4No/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuiPOI9B4No/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Johanna Griggs AM (@johgriggs7)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Fans took to the comments to share their awe over Grant’s home.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That view from the kitchen window 🙌🏻” wrote one fan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Oh this will be fabulous. Two of my favourite people in one place. Their home is stunning,” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Wow that’s just a magnificent Kitchen. What a view,” wrote a third.</p> <p dir="ltr">Grant lives in the idyllic property with his wife Chezzi and three daughters Sunday, Scout and Sailor.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Is Johanna Griggs returning to House Rules?

<p>Johanna Griggs has been sought to return to <em>House Rules</em>, less than a year after she announced her exit from the renovation reality show.</p> <p>The Seven Network is looking to get Griggs back on the show after the 46-year-old presenter stepped down from her role last year, a source told <em><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-au/entertainment/other/is-joh-griggs-returning-to-house-rules/ar-BB14xhFE?li=BBJjIXn">Woman’s Day</a></em>.</p> <p>“Everyone at Seven absolutely adores Joh,” the source said. “They’ll do anything to get her back.”</p> <p>In July last year, Griggs said the network agreed to allow her to resign from the role so that she could take on opportunities at 7Sport.</p> <p>However, after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were postponed indefinitely, Griggs was left to focus on her appearance on the network’s lifestyle program <em>Better Homes and Gardens</em>.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Zcfm8A8hf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Zcfm8A8hf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Johanna Griggs AM (@johgriggs7)</a> on Apr 25, 2020 at 1:44am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>According to the source, Griggs was struggling with the “manufactured drama” of <em>House Rules</em>. “Producers will have to look at the format though if they're to persuade Joh to come back,” the source said.</p> <p>Griggs was replaced by two co-hosts, Jamie Durie and Abbey Gelmi.</p> <p>“It’s hard to imagine a world where Jamie and Joh are co-hosts,” the source said. “It’s no secret that there was some career rivalry between Joh and Jamie, especially when Seven really pushed Jamie forward last year.”</p>

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“I just didn’t see it coming”: Jason Hodges on why his Better Homes axing was a mistake

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Beloved landscaping expert Jason Hodges from Better Homes and Gardens was “absolutely gutted” after learning that he would be axed from the show he called home for 16 years in December 2019.</p> <p>At the time, the Sydney father-of-two made little public comment but has since emerged after the Christmas and New Year break to speak about being cut from the show.</p> <p>“I just didn’t see it coming,” he said to<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-homes-and-gardens-host-jason-hodges-on-shock-axing-234311555.html" target="_blank">Yahoo Lifestyle</a></em>.</p> <p>“I know it’s television and I know people lose their jobs, I know shows finish, but I just didn’t see it coming,” he adds.</p> <p>Affectionately known as “Hodgie” by fans and co-hosts on the show, he is still coming to terms with losing his job.</p> <p>“I thought I was doing the best that I could. I was personable, I wasn’t a diva. I helped set up in the morning and pack down in the afternoon. I was just one of the boys, not a ‘presenter’,” he says.</p> <p>“I just felt like ‘the good guy comes last’ kind of thing,” he adds.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6UnkIFjeTQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6UnkIFjeTQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Jason Hodges (@jasonhodgesandco)</a> on Dec 20, 2019 at 9:07pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Hodges feels like his axing from the show was due to attempts refresh the existing audience of the show.</p> <p>“I think that television networks don’t do the market research that they should and especially in this decision… [the Channel Seven execs are] trying to attract a younger audience that doesn’t exist [because] your average 25-year-old doesn’t watch <em>Better Homes and Gardens</em>,” he says.</p> <p>“[Seven execs] invested 20 years in me and then got rid of me. I think they live in a television bubble where they think that ‘shiny’ replaces ‘authentic’,” he adds.</p> <p>The man replacing Hodges is British-accented Charlie Albone of<span> </span><em>Selling Houses Australia</em>. However, he has no ill feelings towards his replacement and looks back on his time on the show fondly.</p> <p>“I had twenty fantastic years and losing my job is dead set one minute of a lifetime. I have nothing but the best memories of the people I was with and the things I got to see and I will never ever let that go,” he says.</p> <p>“But losing my job, it hurt me because I loved my job and I was doing it to the best of my ability and it was a kick in the guts but that’s not going to change my opinion of the people I worked with or what I managed to achieve,” he adds.</p> <p>Despite doing “more grandiose things”, Hodges says that the most rewarding part of his job was doing makeovers for “nice people”.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B44OXX5jzg7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B44OXX5jzg7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Jason Hodges (@jasonhodgesandco)</a> on Nov 14, 2019 at 11:57pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“There are more grandiose things I’ve done. I’ve won gold at the Melbourne Garden Show six times and I’ve got to go to Chelsea [Flower Show in London] and compete with the best in the world but it was honestly doing makeovers for nice people that was the most rewarding,” he says.</p> <p>Hodges has also encountered an outpouring of support from fans who are devastated by him leaving the show.</p> <p>“People have walked up to me in Bunnings crying [and I’m] getting personal, handwritten letters. It makes feel loved but disappointed that it’s been taken away,” he says.</p> <p>“The support that’s been shown [to me] over the past couple of weeks, it’s always been there and you just don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone,” he adds.</p> <p>As for what he's doing next? Hodges plans on taking it easy. </p> <p>“I need to change my lifestyle. The hustle and bustle of Sydney - the tolls, the parking, the units going up…” he trails off.</p> <p>“Berry is heaven, it’s green and lush with rolling hills and the people are even better than the landscape. The sense of community is amazing,” he adds.</p> <p>“My dream job would be a ‘real’ version of [Foxtel program] <em>River Cottage Australia</em> where we’d get bees and chickens and I try to raise pigs and show the success and failure of it all,” he explained.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"><span class="like-bar-component"></span> <div class="watched-bookmark-container"></div> </div> </div> </div>

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Better Homes confirms shock new cast replacement

<p>Seven Program <em>Better Homes and Gardens</em> has confirmed Charlie Albone will officially replace Jason Hodges on the beloved long-running program in 2020.</p> <p>After a 16-year stint on the show, Hodges’ replacement caused shockwaves, and was considered a surprising move given the pair’s rumoured rivalry.</p> <p><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/parting-of-the-way-s-hush-quietly-quits-fashion-foray-20191212-p53jab.html" target="_blank"><em>The Sydney Morning Herald</em> </a>reported Hodges was “gutted” by being let go, a move made by the new Seven boss Andrew Backwell.</p> <p>Replacement Charlie Albone became a familiar when he appeared on Foxtel's Selling Houses Australia.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ABVvOFec9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ABVvOFec9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Charlie Albone (@charlie_albone)</a> on Jan 31, 2020 at 2:11pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>He will also be joined by Melissa King as a replacement gardening expert.</p> <p>“It’s a real honour to be asked to be part of such an amazing team,” Charlie told <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bhg.com.au/charlie-albone-joins-better-homes-and-gardens" target="_blank">the series’ online site.</a></p> <p>“I will be sharing lots of new and interesting ideas for your garden that will inspire and push boundaries, as well as advice on how to make your outdoor living the best it can be.”</p> <p>Charlie further promised viewers would be able to get an intimate look into the presenter’s life.</p> <p>“You’ll also get to meet my family, and I’ll be giving you a look around my country garden,” he said.</p> <p>The news comes after fellow castmates shared their devastation over news of Hodge’s axing.</p> <p>Johanna Griggs shared the farwell episode on her Instagram page, as “one of the hardest shoots we’ve ever had to do”.</p> <p>“(Change is) unfortunately a reality that comes with the business we are in. But that doesn’t make it any easier,” she wrote in the emotional post.</p> <p>“We’ve had a shoot with some new faces who’ll be joining the team next year. And I can honestly say they are absolutely lovely and really excited to be part of the show,” she wrote.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6TfSzLg9B1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6TfSzLg9B1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Johanna Griggs AM (@johgriggs7)</a> on Dec 20, 2019 at 10:36am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The full lineup has been confirmed as including host Johanna Griggs, alongside Adam Dovile (DIY), Charlie Albone (Landscaping), Dr Harry Cooper (Vet), Graham Ross (Gardening), Tara Dennis (Decorating &amp; Design), “Fast Ed” Halmagyi (Chef), Karen Martini (Chef), Pete Colquhoun (Architect), Sam Wood (Health &amp; Fitness), Melissa King (Gardening) and James Tobin (Tech &amp; Motoring).</p> <p><em>Better Homes and Gardens</em> 2020 premieres February 7th at 7 pm.</p>

Home & Garden

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Johanna Griggs shares terrifying video of bushfires raging near her home

<p>Better Homes &amp; Gardens host Johanna Griggs has shared a shocking video of bushfires raging near her home in Wollombi, NSW.</p> <p>Wollombi is in the Hunter Valley of NSW and has been impacted greatly by bushfires.</p> <p>According to the NSW Rural Fire Service, there are currently 110 fires burning across the state with 59 not being contained.</p> <p>Griggs shared the video on her Instagram, saying that it has been a “wild few weeks” for her and her family.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6FGuOZg4BM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6FGuOZg4BM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">For everyone who has been sending messages checking in on us, thank you; We are great. It’s been a wild few weeks. With fire fronts in 3 directions we prepped for the worst, but thankfully are the lucky ones this time around. The first video was from last Tuesday which was definitely the worst day up here for us. The rest of the time it’s been stinking hot and smoky as. Whilst conditions still aren’t great we feel more confident that we’ll be ok. Thanks to everyone who understood why we cancelled all our catch ups and stayed put ‘Just In Case’. We used our time well - with new firebreaks the whole way round the house paddock, 2 fire trailers ready, 6 watering stations (Huge thanks to @harry.ledwidge and #guyledwidge for dropping everything, flying in and helping us for 10 days! What Legends... and to @bradmarsland69 and @hoban_david who joined in the prep regularly in between work shifts. Thank you!!!) My OC tendencies had a ball working my way down my cleaning list! (I still have plenty to go) The veggie garden has produced and provided non stop. (Not included in the pics are the cabbages, carrots, broad beans, herbs and spinach - Also growing really well are eggplants, capsicum, chillis, bok Choy, pumpkins and sweet potatoes) Our bees haven’t fled the smoke, and have produced in abundance. We are so grateful to the @nswrfs and other emergency services for everything they have done, and continue to do. And we’re so sorry for everyone who has had a horrible time during this period. Our hearts break for you and for all the wildlife lost in these horrible fires. It’ll be a long hot summer for sure for all. We hope everyone stays safe...:) #hugginshill #growyourown #biofilta_urbanfarms #flowhive #hhvfs</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/johgriggs7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Johanna Griggs</a> (@johgriggs7) on Dec 14, 2019 at 8:32pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“With fire fronts in 3 directions we prepped for the worst, but thankfully are the lucky ones this time around,” she wrote.</p> <p>“The first video was from last Tuesday which was definitely the worst day up here for us. The rest of the time it’s been stinking hot and smoky as.”</p> <p>With a heatwave casted for this week, fans were anxious about her house being okay, but Griggs is confident that they’ll be fine.</p> <p>“Thanks to everyone who understood why we cancelled all our catch ups and stayed put ‘Just In Case’,” she said.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5uPapQg09T/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5uPapQg09T/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Watching, Waiting. Totally Prepped and Calm. Thinking of all the @nswrfs personnel and what an amazing job they are doing in incredibly tough conditions. And thinking of everyone in Wollombi.... (That’s where the glow and smoke is coming from). Must be terrifying. Hoping everyone is safe...x #hugginshill</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/johgriggs7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Johanna Griggs</a> (@johgriggs7) on Dec 5, 2019 at 11:25pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Griggs also thanked the NSW RFS for their hard work, with over 2,200 personnel fighting the blazes across the state.</p> <p>“We are so grateful to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/nswrfs/" target="_blank">@nswrfs</a> and other emergency services for everything they have done, and continue to do. And we’re so sorry for everyone who has had a horrible time during this period. Our hearts break for you and for all the wildlife lost in these horrible fires. It’ll be a long hot summer for sure for all. We hope everyone stays safe.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

Domestic Travel

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“Not much left for her”: Johanna Griggs’ future at Seven uncertain

<p>Following her departure from <em>House Rules</em>, Johanna Griggs’ future at Seven remains to be seen, a network insider has claimed.</p> <p>The source told <em><a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/reality-tv/house-rules/joh-griggs-house-rules-fighting-60088">Now to Love</a> </em>that Griggs, who is set to take part in Channel Seven’s upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics coverage, may take a back seat to Abbey Gelmi, the network’s cricket and horseracing presenter and new <em>House Rules </em>co-host.</p> <p>“<span>Joh is realistic and knows there is not much at Seven left for her, except for <em>Better Homes And Gardens</em> and sport,” said the insider.</span></p> <p><span>“She will be taking an active role in the upcoming Olympics 2020 Tokyo coverage – at this point she’s looking at co-hosting alongside Hamish McLachlan and Jim Wilson, but her role isn’t a given.</span></p> <p><span>“Joh is well aware that if Abbey proves to be a winner on <em>House Rules</em>, they may put her upfront for the Olympics – it’s no secret that network bosses are grooming her to be the next Joh Griggs.”</span></p> <p><span>In July, Griggs announced her exit from the renovation show. “As the show goes into preproduction for the next season, it’s the perfect time to hand over the role to someone who will take the show into S8,” she wrote on Instagram.</span></p> <p><span>Last month, it was announced that Jamie Durie would return as host at the program alongside Gelmi. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Kyly Clarke and Saul Myers also join the line-up as judges.</span></p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fhouserules%2Fposts%2F2525326867502598&amp;width=500" width="500" height="674" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p>

TV

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Who will replace Johanna Griggs as House Rules host?

<p><span>Months after Johanna Griggs announced her departure from <em>House Rules</em>, Channel 7 has reportedly made a decision on who will take over as the program’s host.</span></p> <p><em><span><a href="https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2019/9/30/exclusive-the-new-host-of-channel-7s-house-rules-is">TV Blackbox</a> </span></em><span>reported that the hosting role will be given to Jamie Durie, who joined the show in season 7 as a judge.</span></p> <p><span>According to the outlet, Carolyn Burns-McCrave will also join Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen as a full-time judge, replacing Wendy Moore. The line-up is allegedly set to be confirmed later this month.</span></p> <p><span>Channel 7 declined to comment on the report.</span></p> <p><span>Griggs <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/surprise-announcement-johanna-griggs-has-quit-house-rules/" target="_blank">announced in late July</a> that she had left the renovation show after seven seasons. “After a great deal of consideration, I recently sat down with the Network to ask to be allowed to step down as Host of <em>House Rules</em>,” she wrote on an Instagram post.</span></p> <p>“As the show goes into preproduction for the next season, it’s the perfect time to hand over the role to someone who will take the show into S8.”</p> <p>Last week, Moore also announced on Instagram that she will be leaving the program to focus on her role as head of Foxtel’s Lifestyle channels.</p> <p>“I have made so many friends, seen so many parts of Australia and learnt so much that I will always be grateful to Channel Seven for,” Moore wrote.</p> <p>“Of course it’s always sad to see the end of such a great experience, I guess you could call this the #sevenyearitch – it’s definitely time.”</p>

TV

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“It’s a pressure cooker”: The real reason behind Joh Grigg’s surprise exit from House Rules

<p><em>House Rules</em><span> </span>host Joh Griggs surprised Australians all over when she announced a shock resignation, and now a previous winner of the reality TV program has weighed in on the star’s controversial departure. </p> <p>Aaron, winner of Season five<span> </span><em>House Rules<span> </span></em>in 2017 told<a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/reality-tv/house-rules/house-rules-aaron-johanna-griggs-57605"><span> </span><em>Now to Love<span> </span></em></a>on Tuesday their experience was an “eye-opener.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BstjcscgTx6/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BstjcscgTx6/" target="_blank">A post shared by Aaron &amp; Daniella (@aarondaniella.hr)</a> on Jan 16, 2019 at 2:13pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“It's a pressure cooker environment,” he added, however noted the way people coped with the intense stress on set came down to every individual’s mindset. </p> <p>“You are who you are and if you're a nasty person, you're still going to be a nasty person if you're stressed or not,” he said.</p> <p>Aaron said Joh would have had “a much better insight” then he did on what went on behind the scenes since she was host of the show. </p> <p>He also alluded to the controversy surrounding Channel 7 producers allegedly pushing contestants to stir up drama - a factor Joh reportedly didn’t agree with which was what led to her shocking exit. </p> <p>“Anything that Johanna Griggs says, I'll one hundred percent respect it and take her word on it,” he said before adding anything said wouldn’t alter his opinion as he “absolutely loved the experience” and would “do it again tomorrow.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx6EA4Ggo7I/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx6EA4Ggo7I/" target="_blank">A post shared by Johanna Griggs (@johgriggs7)</a> on May 25, 2019 at 6:25pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The Aussie TV presenter and Commonwealth Games swimmer hosted House Rules for seven long years before deciding to announce her swift exit on July 24 - just one day after the season finale aired to viewers. </p> <p>“As the show goes into pre-production for the next season, it’s the perfect time to hand over the role to someone who will take the show into S8,” she wrote on her Instagram.</p> <p>Channel 7 have yet to announce a replacement for Joh.</p>

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Surprise announcement: Johanna Griggs has QUIT House Rules

<p><em>House Rules </em>host Johanna Griggs has announced that she is quitting her role in a move that has shocked fans across the nation.</p> <p>She took to Instagram to share the news.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Stfe-geYH/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Stfe-geYH/" target="_blank">Hi @houseruleson7 fans. Thank you for your incredible, passionate support throughout Season 7, &amp; congratulations to our Champions Pete and Courtney. 💕 I’ve got some news for you all. After a great deal of consideration, I recently sat down with the Network to ask to be allowed to step down as Host of House Rules. They have very graciously agreed for me to do that, which I’m incredibly appreciative of. As the show goes into preproduction for the next season, it’s the perfect time to hand over the role to someone who will take the show into S8. Reality TV production has been an eye opener, they are such enormous beasts with so many people involved, and I’ve had a great time over the last 7 years steering the ship, getting to work with many of my favourite camera crews as we criss-crossed the country... &amp; having a blast playing Dress ups &amp; experimenting with different looks.... with two of my best friends in Rosie Trindall (Stylist Extraordinaire) &amp; Lisa Soames (Hair and Make up guru). It was a seriously fun part of working on the show. As was collaborating with two great writers in Grant Osborn &amp; Robert Adams along with numerous audio operators as we recorded the voice overs. Sometimes we giggled so much, it was hard to get the words out! I’ve worked with fantastic judges in Joe Snell, Drew Heath, Jamie Durie &amp; Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen... &amp; the beautiful &amp; talented Wendy Moore right from the start of the show. She &amp; design mentor Carolyn Burns McCrave helped make every series so much fun. (Go the Girl (staying) Power!!) But the best part always for me, has been getting to know the teams. We’ve laughed &amp; cried together; they all trusted me very quickly &amp; made my job incredibly easy which I’m so thankful &amp; grateful for. My role as host of Better Homes and Gardens, which everyone knows I’m crazy about,  keeps me very busy. Hopefully now though, with a different work load, I’ll be in a better position to take up one or two of the great opportunities that come my way, especially with 7 Sport, which is such a passion for me. But thank you for being such a fun audience to interact with. Now I’m returning to my holiday with my darling husband. Back soon, Johanna.:)</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/johgriggs7/" target="_blank"> Johanna Griggs</a> (@johgriggs7) on Jul 24, 2019 at 1:12am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Hi @houseruleson7 fans. Thank you for your incredible, passionate support throughout Season 7, &amp; congratulations to our Champions Pete and Courtney.</p> <p>"I've got some news for you all. After a great deal of consideration, I recently sat down with the Network to ask to be allowed to step down as Host of House Rules. They have very graciously agreed for me to do that, which I'm incredibly appreciative of. As the show goes into preproduction for the next season, it's the perfect time to hand over the role to someone who will take the show into S8.”</p> <p>Griggs went on to reflect her time on the show, as she has been hosting it since 2013.</p> <p>"Reality TV production has been an eye opener, they are such enormous beasts with so many people involved, and I've had a great time over the last 7 years steering the ship, getting to work with many of my favourite camera crews as we criss-crossed the country... &amp; having a blast playing Dress ups &amp; experimenting with different looks.... with two of my best friends in Rosie Trindall (Stylist Extraordinaire) &amp; Lisa Soames (Hair and Make up guru). It was a seriously fun part of working on the show," she wrote.</p> <p>She also thanked her work colleagues.</p> <p>"As was collaborating with two great writers in Grant Osborn &amp; Robert Adams along with numerous audio operators as we recorded the voice overs. Sometimes we giggled so much, it was hard to get the words out!</p> <p>"I've worked with fantastic judges in Joe Snell, Drew Heath, Jamie Durie &amp; Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen... &amp; the beautiful &amp; talented Wendy Moore right from the start of the show. She &amp; design mentor Carolyn Burns McCrave helped make every series so much fun. (Go the Girl (staying) Power!!) But the best part always for me, has been getting to know the teams. We've laughed &amp; cried together; they all trusted me very quickly &amp; made my job incredibly easy which I'm so thankful &amp; grateful for."</p> <p>It was towards the end of the post that Griggs announced that she was focusing on her role on <em>Better Homes and Gardens</em>.</p> <p>"My role as host of Better Homes and Gardens, which everyone knows I'm crazy about, keeps me very busy. Hopefully now though, with a different work load, I'll be in a better position to take up one or two of the great opportunities that come my way, especially with 7 Sport, which is such a passion for me," she explained.</p> <p>She signed off by thanking the audience for being “fun” to interact with.</p> <p>"But thank you for being such a fun audience to interact with. Now I'm returning to my holiday with my darling husband."</p> <p>Fans wished her well, with one commenter on Instagram saying that they were “incredibly stoked” to see her in her next role.</p> <p>“Congratulation Jo! Definitely will be missed on House Rules nights in our house but so incredibly stoked for you to take on the next new thing.”</p> <p>“Big job for someone to fill your shoes Jo... you are one of best.. so real .. enjoy your next adventures xx,” one commenter wrote.</p>

Home & Garden

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“Don’t patronise me”: Tennis star blows up at reporter after Wimbledon exit

<p>Johanna Konta has shut down a journalist for “picking” on her after she found his line of questioning to be offensive.</p> <p>After losing to Barbora Strycova in the Wimbledon quarter-finals 7-6 6-1 on Centre Court, the last remaining hope for the British player in the singles draw claimed that her opponent was simply better than her, but that answer didn’t satisfy everyone.</p> <p>Discussing the game, the 28-year-old said she wouldn’t do anything differently if she was given the chance to play again, but things started heating up once she was asked whether she needs to accept flaws in her own game.</p> <p>Clearly taken aback, Konta interjected when the reporter kept pushing the same question.</p> <p><strong>Reporter:</strong><span> </span>Looking at numbers, 33 unforced errors, then you had a smash at the net which you hit straight to her, then towards the end of the third set you had a double-fault, then missed a drive volley. Do you not have to look at yourself a little bit about how you cope with these big points? It’s all very well saying it’s a lot to do with your opponent, but there were key points when you perhaps could have done better.</p> <p><strong>Johanna Konta:</strong><span> </span>Is that in your professional tennis opinion?</p> <p><strong>Reporter:<span> </span></strong>No, that’s just as a watching spectator with everyone else on Centre Court willing you on. And the numbers are IBM’s.</p> <p><strong>Konta:</strong><span> </span>OK. I mean, I don’t think you need to pick on me in a harsh way. I mean, I think I’m very open with you guys. I say how I feel out there. If you don’t want to accept that answer or you don’t agree with it, that’s fine. I still believe in the tennis that I play. I still believe in the way I competed. Yeah, I don’t have much else to say to your question.</p> <p><strong>Reporter:</strong><span> </span>I’m just asking you as somebody who presumably wants to go on from here, learn from this, win a grand slam one day. Is it not something …</p> <p><strong>Konta:</strong><span> </span>Please don’t patronise me.</p> <p><strong>Reporter:</strong><span> </span>I’m not patronising you.</p> <p><strong>Konta:</strong><span> </span>No, no, you are. In the way you’re asking your question, you’re being quite disrespectful and you’re patronising me. I’m a professional competitor who did her best today, and that’s all there is to that.</p> <p>The moderator was then forced to interfere, as the tennis star moved onto the next question.</p>

News

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Johanna Griggs’ incredible style makeover

<div> <div class="replay"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>It’s no secret that Johanna Griggs is not your ordinary woman, admitting, "I'm not a size 8" – and standing at 1.83 metres tall, it can be difficult to find outfits that fit in all the right places.</p> <p><em>The House Rules</em> host has always stood out, as she towers over the petite woman that regularly grace our television screens.</p> <p>So after a slew of fashion hits on Seven’s Logie-nominated renovation show, viewers had noticed and took the change with open arms.</p> <p>She’s previously been spotted wearing simple outfits and has also admitted to being “so hopeless with fashion”, so when “uber talented” stylist Rosie Trindall offered to help her out, Griggs couldn’t be happier.</p> <p>And so far, it’s been a success, with Trindall opting for designer dresses by Peter Pilotto and Scanlan Theodore.</p> <p>“I’m not a size eight, I’m six feet tall. I’m not your standard television size,” Griggs told <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/tv/2019/06/02/house-rules-johanna-griggs-style/" target="_blank">The New Daily</a>.</em></p> <p>“Every stylist I’d had up until that point dressed me like it was grab-a-granny night at the RSL.”</p> <p>And despite not looking like one, the 45-year-old is a grandmother to a baby boy, after her son Joe – who she shares with former husband Gary Sweet – became a dad last year.</p> <p>When she’s not in front of the camera, Griggs prefers to be more laidback and comfortable.</p> <p>“I don’t dress up or wear makeup away from work. I appreciate fashion, but it’s not me,” says the former Olympian.</p> <p>And her favourite outfit is one that she regularly sports when she’s at home with her husband Todd Huggins: “An Akubra, jeans and a ‘flanny’.”</p> <p>The host understands that criticism comes with the territory, but she refuses to remain silent at inaccurate magazine stories, such as a <em>Woman’s Day's </em>piece published last year that claimed to reveal her weight loss secrets.</p> <p>Griggs slammed the publication, saying the story was “100 per cent inaccurate” and that it deserved the “moronic award for made up sh*te.”</p> <p>She admitted to <em>The New Daily</em>, “I’ve been having a crack at the mags for years and the rubbish stories they write.</p> <p>“Sometimes people ask why I react, but they’d be amazed at how many people in my life will believe what they’ve read. Even something ludicrous.”</p> <p>She reveals that “about six years” after she married Huggins in 2006, “there was an article saying Gary Sweet and I were back together. It’s so disrespectful to my husband, and to Gary’s partner.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxVktl2gMhM/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxVktl2gMhM/" target="_blank">Outfit details for tonight’s House Rules Whole House Reveal for Lisa and Andy’s home in SA: Dress: Ginger and Smart. Shoes: Enzo Angiolini Earrings: Wedders. Styling: By the Uber talented Rosie Trindall. (Yes I did get her in a rare pic - check out the last one). Hair and Make up: by the brilliant Lilly Miljkovic who managed to keep the look going into the evening for me as I left straight from this home base to the AACTAS last year. I can’t wait for you to see this beautiful house tonight! It’s spectacular. From 7pm on 7...:) #wholehousereveal #lisaandandyshouse #sa #houserules #perfectwaytoendmothersday #weusenakhairproducts #andinglotcosmestics</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/johgriggs7/" target="_blank"> Johanna Griggs</a> (@johgriggs7) on May 11, 2019 at 2:19pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“They’re still going to write it. But I will call them out and that’s where we sit.”</p> <p>But despite tabloid stories, Griggs says that her personal life is the best it has ever been.</p> <p>“I’m 45, [sons] Jess and Joe are 23 and 22, and just very happy and settled in their lives. As far as little [grandson] Jax, I can’t even describe the love you have,” she said.</p> <p>“When you can just put all that energy into a little grandchild and know you can get the very best out of it, but you don’t have to have those sleepless nights and all the hard bits … it’s been really special for both Todd and I.</p> <p>“I feel like I’m the biggest baby-stalker in the world, always have been. But Todd is a very close second. We’re just madly in love with him. He’s just a gorgeous little boy.”</p> <p>She’s juggled her personal and professional life for years, so it’s no surprise that she treats the <em>House Rules</em> contestants as if they’re her own children.</p> <p>“I feel like I have a duty,” she explained.</p> <p>“Anyone who has been a contestant on a reality show will tell you it’s very intense, then they get eliminated, do a bit of publicity and that’s it. They’re dropped.”</p> <p>As a board member of mental health charity Beyond Blue, “I’m a little alarmed at the treatment in the past and on some other shows. People seem to forget it’s real life and they’re real people,” Griggs added.</p> <p>“They give me a lot. They make my job easy. It’s a really small way I can say thank you to them.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div></div>

Beauty & Style

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“Looking good!”: Johanna Griggs shocks fans with stunning transformation

<p>Sunday night’s episode of<span> </span><em>House Rules</em><span> </span>revealed the first home makeover for Victorian dance teachers Pete and Courtney.</p> <p>But despite the insane transformation, all eyes were hooked onto something else – or someone else.</p> <p>Viewers at home took to Twitter to share their excitement over Johanna Griggs’ new look, with one user saying: “@JohGriggs7 outfit reveal is almost more exciting than the house reveal.”</p> <p>“Woah! You are looking sooooo amazing @JohGriggs7 beautiful,” wrote another.</p> <p>“Oh, dear God, Griggsy’s looking good. That colour is amazing on her [sic],” a user tweeted about her dress.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxEAX5UgmUX/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxEAX5UgmUX/" target="_blank">Tonight’s Outfit Details for our first Whole House Reveal for Pete And Courtney from 7pm on 7.... Khaki Dress: Ginger and Smart (always a fave). Earrings: Emma Thomas Art. Shoes: Diana Ferrari Styling by: Rosie Trindall. Hair and Make Up by: Lisa Soames (I put in a pic of the detail of the hair do as it was a work of art in itself) I’m still Overseas but I hope you enjoy tonight’s show. I can’t wait to read your reactions on what our amazing teams have done! #houserules #wholehousereveal #peteandcourtneyau</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/johgriggs7/" target="_blank"> Johanna Griggs</a> (@johgriggs7) on May 4, 2019 at 6:34pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The 45-year-old opted for a khaki midi dress, featuring a plunging neckline by Australian designer, Ginger &amp; Smart.</p> <p>She paired the chic silhouette with a pair of black Diana Ferrari heels and marble effect earrings by Emma Thomas.</p> <p>Her hair was kept tousled and messy, with several strands pulled out to frame her face.</p> <p>The former athlete kept her makeup simple and refined, with defined brows, a nude lip and multiple coats of mascara.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxEDWvWgEcw/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxEDWvWgEcw/" target="_blank">And with thanks to @emmathomasart Here are some close ups of her beautiful earrings I’m lucky enough to wear on tonight’s House Rules whole House Reveal. She doesn’t mass produce any of her creations which feel so light when you are wearing them. #emmathomasart #earrings #houserules #wholehousereveal #peteandcourtney</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/johgriggs7/" target="_blank"> Johanna Griggs</a> (@johgriggs7) on May 4, 2019 at 7:00pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The transformation comes after the host was regularly seen gravitating towards more conservative looks such as blouses and trousers.</p> <p>While fans of the show loved Griggs’ makeover, the same couldn’t be said about the home, as many criticised the overall look.</p> <p>But not everything was doom and gloom, as some viewers praised the teams for their tiling and marble fixtures in bathrooms.</p>

Beauty & Style

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"Failure is the greatest lesson": Johanna Griggs on career, romance and family

<p>Johanna Griggs has opened up about how she got through all the setbacks in her career and love life, from the hiccups in her swimming days to her 18-month long IVF battle.</p> <p>In a new interview with <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/celeb-news/johanna-griggs-kids-55261" target="_blank">The Australian Women's Weekly</a></em>, the former competitive swimmer revealed the challenges she faced throughout her career as an athlete and a TV presenter.</p> <p>A year after winning the bronze medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games, Griggs was hit by chronic fatigue syndrome, which forced her to cut her career short. She returned to the pool at the age of 19 to break the world record in the 50-metre backstroke at the 1993 Australian Swimming Championships. However, the very next day, she announced her retirement.</p> <p>Following the announcement, she was surprised by the emerging offers from multiple television networks for her to become on-air talent. </p> <p>“It was so heady and exciting,” she said. “And again, I think how lucky I was.”</p> <p>However, Griggs’ journey as a broadcaster was not always smooth-sailing, as armchair critics panned her presenting style. </p> <p>In 1996, the Seven Network fired her via fax just two weeks before she was due to return as a sports newsreader from maternity leave. Back then, she was caring for three-month-old son Jesse and pregnant with Joe.</p> <p>“Failure is the greatest lesson in the world,” she said. “The greatest opportunities in my life, the greatest lessons I’ve learnt and the greatest pivot points where you totally change direction have come from my failures. And that’s not a bad thing.”</p> <p>Griggs also saw the bright side from her short-lived marriage with Australian actor Gary Sweet, whom she wed in 1995 and split from two years later. </p> <p>“When a marriage ends, you feel you’re such a failure in that aspect, but at the same time it really uncomplicated our lives,” she said.</p> <p>“I loved my years as a single mum. There are situations where people go between parents – we really didn't have to do that. So you’re the decision maker, they’re your little buddies. And I had a lot of support around me.”</p> <p>Years later, Griggs was introduced to her younger brother’s friend, Todd Huggins, whom she became quickly close to. She said Huggins would make visits to her sons Jesse and Joe, even when she was out of town for work. </p> <p>“He would turn up every day and either kick a footie, do their homework with them or hang with them and watch TV,” admits Griggs.</p> <p>“That was such a monumental thing to do. He’s never tried to be the boys’ dad because they have a dad but he is 100 per cent a person who influences them, who they still go to.”</p> <p>Griggs and Huggins finally tied the knot in 2006. The couple then began trying for children through IVF, but after two rounds of unsuccessful attempts they received the devastating news – they are part of a small percentage of people that the procedure would not be able to help.</p> <p>Griggs recalled her husband telling her, “I think it’s the universe telling us just to stop. It’s not going to happen for us.”</p> <p>However, the 45-year-old received another chance at expanding her family unit when her son Joe welcomed his first child Jax with his then-partner Katie Buttel in 2018. </p> <p>“That baby is the happiest, most chilled, extraordinary little boy,” said Griggs. </p> <p>“Joe and Katie are doing a fabulous job of co-parenting. Both families, right from the go, said, ‘He’s going to be loved in any direction he looks in’ – and he really is.”</p>

Home & Garden

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Johanna Griggs confesses: “I wish I met my husband earlier”

<p>She is one of the most popular faces on our TV screens as the host of <em>House Rules</em> and <em>Better Homes &amp; Gardens</em>.</p> <p>Speaking to <em><a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/johanna-griggs-husband-49851">NowToLove</a></em>, the 44-year-old opened up about “the most awesome person” she knows – and you would be surprised to hear it’s not her adorable new grandson, Jax – who was born in March to her son Joe, 21, and his partner Katie – but her husband, Todd Huggins.</p> <p>The TV host says it’s the love of her doting partner that keeps her going.</p> <p>Johanna told <em>NowToLove</em>, “I don’t think there’s many men who would have a wife who spends 90 per cent of their life travelling and never be insecure about it because he’s so confident in his own skin.”</p> <p>The new grandmother added, “He’s pretty exceptional.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BagFi3YnGtm/" target="_blank">A post shared by Johanna Griggs (@johgriggs7)</a> on Oct 21, 2017 at 12:16am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The mum-of-two, who shares her two sons with former husband and actor Gary Sweet, met Todd – who is a building foreman – through mutual friends and they will celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary in November this year.</p> <p>While eternally grateful to have met Todd, Johanna says her one big regret is that their paths didn’t cross sooner.</p> <p>“I feel so lucky I met him, but I wish I met him earlier,” she confessed.</p> <p>“He’s awesome. He’s such a ripper. He’s just the most awesome person I know. He’s funny, he’s the first person to take the mickey out of himself, he’s kind, genuine and just a stand-up human being. You can rely on him,” the former Olympic swimmer added.</p>

Relationships

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Johanna Griggs recalls her foul-mouthed encounter with Dame Maggie Smith

<p><em>Better Homes and Gardens</em> host Johnna Griggs has opened up about her frightening encounter with Dame Maggie Smith.</p> <p>In a new interview, Griggs told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/tv-shows/johanna-griggs-recalls-her-foulmouthed-encounter-with-dame-maggie-smith/news-story/628a37c9826d1e23cbafacf8ebca2d7c" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">news.com.au</span></strong></a> that she met the Oscar-winning star when they were filming an episode of<em> Better Homes And Gardens</em> in 2011.</p> <p>“<em>Downton Abbey</em> had launched overseas but they hadn’t launched in Australia, so they asked us to go over and do a behind-the-scenes look at the cast and the crew,” Griggs said.</p> <p>The <em>Better Homes and Gardens</em> team went to the set of the show in England, to shoot the location of the period drama.</p> <p>“Obviously we’d seen a lot of pre-episodes of <em>Downton Abbey</em>, we’d heard all the hype about it coming out and I was personally so excited about meeting Dame Maggie Smith,” Griggs said.</p> <p>“We kept saying to them, ‘We’re going to be really, really easy. You won’t even know we’re here, we’re going to be behind the scenes. We’ll grab you each for two minutes if you’ve got a spare two minutes between scenes.’ In my head I was like, ‘I can’t wait to meet Dame Maggie, I can’t wait!’"</p> <p>However, Griggs’s expectations were quickly ruined when Smith, who plays Dowager Countess of Grantham, became frustrated with the Aussie film crew on set.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819555/1_500x333.jpg" alt="1 (165)"/></p> <p>“They were doing a rehearsal for a scene and we had permission to film so we were shooting a wide shot of the room and then Dame Maggie just quietly stops and says, ‘Why is there a f***ing camera in my face?’”</p> <p>“The PR company said, ‘Oh, Dame Maggie, this is a crew from Australia called <em>Better Homes and Gardens.</em> It’s the number one lifestyle show and we’re about to launch in Australia and we’ve had lots of discussions about this. They’re here to promote the show.’</p> <p>“She goes, ‘Well, I don’t care who they f***ing are, so get the f***ing camera out of my face.’</p> <p>“We just very quietly backed out of the room and closed the door. It was one of those things where you’re like, ‘That’s not how I thought that would go in my head.’”</p> <p>Griggs said the other <em>Downton Abbey</em> cast and crew were lovely to her and her team.</p> <p>“They said to us, ‘That’s just Dame Maggie — she loves to do this and put people off. It’s her thing,’” Griggs said.</p>

TV

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Johanna Griggs opens up about being a grandma at 44

<p>Appearing on <em>The Morning Show</em> this week, Johanna Griggs candidly spoke about being a first-time grandmother at the age of 44.</p> <p>The <em>House Rules</em>’ host’s 21-year-old son Joe (with her former husband, actor Gary Sweet), welcomed his first child – a boy called Jax – in March with his partner Katie.</p> <p>Speaking with Kylie Gillies on <em>The Morning Show</em>, Johanna admitted that many fans often tell her that “she’s too young to be a grandmother” in her 40s.</p> <p>“I’ve been around for so long it’s like dog years, I feel like I should measure my life in dinosaur years!” the former swimming champ exclaimed.</p> <p>“I feel like I’m actually 1000 years old!” she jokingly added.</p> <p>“However, in actual fact I’m 44, Todd (Johanna’s husband) turned 44 on Friday. We’re so excited that we are young parents … we now have these grownup adult, gorgeous young men in our lives,” the proud mum shared. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 56.52777777777778% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj3e6TZHWZ3/" target="_blank">A post shared by Johanna Griggs (@johgriggs7)</a> on Jun 10, 2018 at 7:03pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The popular TV host continued, “To be young grandparents and be young enough to do things with them and to be able to help them out … I think it is awesome.”</p> <p>The <em>Better Homes &amp; Gardens</em> host revealed that her husband Todd is absolutely “obsessed” with their new grandson, Jax. </p> <p>“I’m excited but Todd is next level,” Johanna revealed.</p> <p>“He’s never been around babies. He’s just obsessed. He has actually replaced me on his phone (wallpaper) with a picture of the baby,” she admitted.</p> <p>On the moment that Johanna found out she was set to become a grandma? </p> <p>“Oh, man – we were that excited. You’ve got to remember I had children young too (Joe was born when she was 22), so it was such a great thing and so exciting,” she told <em>TV Week</em> in March.</p> <p>How old were you when you first became a grandparent? Tell us in the comments below.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

Body

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Inside Johanna Griggs' $3.6 million beach house transformation

<p><em>House Rules</em> and <em>Better Homes and Gardens</em> presenter Johanna Griggs has sold her Sydney home with her builder husband Todd Huggins.</p> <p>The couple sold the Collaroy home on the northern beaches for $3.6 million, according to realestate.com.au.</p> <p>The sale was off market and kept secret until Johanna posted a video to Instagram where she farewelled the home.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi3p83jHAbF/" target="_blank">A post shared by Johanna Griggs (@johgriggs7)</a> on May 17, 2018 at 12:13am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Said goodbye to our beautiful home today before I flew out. It’s been the most wonderful place to live in for the past 5 years. We hope the new owners are as happy as were in it. It was just the best place to entertain in! Onto the next project...:),” she wrote.</p> <p><span>The couple paid $1.15 million in 2011 for a three-bedroom brick home (pictured below), which hadn’t been listed in 35 years.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7818911/1_500x333.jpg" alt="1 (146)"/></p> <p>Todd undertook the rebuild through his construction company Collaroy Constructions to build the modern five-bedroom property.</p> <p>The home, which has ocean views, features open plan living, a pool, ground level alfresco entertaining and a top floor terrace,</p> <p>The couple have revealed that they are already on to their next project, which is reportedly another home in Collaroy.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Johanna Grigg’s incredible property makeover.</p> <p>What do you think of the couple’s transformation of the home? Let us know in the comments below. What would you score it out of 10? </p>

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