'Tried and true' Bert hosts Logies

Bert Newton and wife Patti.

AAP

TELEVISION legend Bert Newton has been announced as host for this year’s TV Week Logie Awards – a position he has previously filled 18 times.

According to Bond University associate professor and director of film and television Michael Sergi, Bert Newton is a “tried and true” host of the awards night.

“The return to Bert Newton as host is a safe bet for the station, a conservative choice after Gretel Killeen last year,” Mr Sergi said.

“Bert is incredibly knowledgeable about the show and Australian television.

“He is also someone who cuts through generations of viewers as he’s been on television for that long.

“He’s an iconic figure on Australian TV, whereas someone younger would not have that mystique around them that Bert does.

“Bert is someone who can deliver the hosting efficiently and effectively and is also a recognised person across an incredibly broad demographic.”

Mr Sergi, a former director of television drama, said Bert was popular with a younger generation through the 20 to 1 television series and remembered by older generations for his time on the Don Lane Show and Good Morning Australia.

“He has proven audience appeal which is why he would be selected for the position of host,” Mr Sergi said.

Bert, who has won a Gold Logie four times and was awarded a Hall of Fame Logie in 1988, said: “The Logies have always meant so much to me, and to be at the helm in a new era of Logies is just terrific”.

Executive producer of the 2010 TV Week Logie Awards Adrian Dellevergin said Bert was chosen because he would bring a true sense of occasion to the room and his style was second to none.

“People have always loved Bert because he is an incredible entertainer, when you think of the Logies, you think of Bert,” Mr Dellevergin said.

“Many great entertainers have hosted the Logies and they all deserve an award for getting out there on the Night of Nights.”

 The 2010 TV Week Logie Awards will televised live from Melbourne’s Crown Entertainment Complex on Sunday, May 2, on NBN.

 HIT LIST

Hosts since 1996 include Daryl Somers (1996-1998), Andrew Denton (1999-2000), Shaun Micallef (2001), Wendy Harmer (2002) and Eddie McGuire (2003-4).

In 2005, hosting was shared among Eddie McGuire, Rove McManus and Andrew O’Keefe, with Adam Hills backstage.

In 2006, Gold Logie winners Bert Newton, Lisa McCune, Georgie Parker, Ray Martin and Daryl Somers hosted.