Gretel Killeen

Gretel Killeen
Gretel Killeen
Born	February 3, 1963 (age 63); Sydney, Australia
Occupation(s)	Comedian, television host, media figure, writer
Years active	1989–present
Known for	Presenter of Big Brother Australia (2001–2007)

Gretel Killeen (born 3 February 1963) is an Australian comedian, television host, media figure, and writer. She gained widespread recognition as the presenter of Big Brother Australia from its inception in 2001 until the 2007 season, including hosting the 2002 edition of Celebrity Big Brother. Additionally, Killeen was the host of the 2009 TV Week Logie Awards ceremony.

Midday

Between 1989 and 1991, Killeen was a frequent contributor on Midday with Ray Martin airing on the Nine Network. She was involved in the sketch segment titled A Town Like Dallas, which humorously parodied soap operas.

Coast to Coast

In 1990, Killeen served as co-host of Coast to Coast alongside Terry Willesee and John Mangos on the Nine Network, taking over after Graham Kennedy's exit. However, this program format had a brief run.

Big Brother

Killeen was the face of Big Brother Australia from its launch in 2001 through to its seventh season in 2007. On 28 October 2007, it was announced by The Sunday Telegraph that she would be succeeded by Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O following a revamp of the show.

Other television roles

She co-hosted Sydney's New Year's Eve broadcast for 2006–07 and also presented Australia Day Eve events in January 2006. In addition, she hosted coverage of Ten's Australia Day celebrations in 2007.

In 2009, Killeen took on hosting duties at the Logie Awards, appearing on stage dressed as an angel. She portrayed nurse Angela Mercie in two episodes of the YouTube web series The Horizon in 2013.

Killeen co-hosted ABC’s How Not to Behave alongside Matt Okine in 2015. Later, in 2019, she participated as the Octopus character on the Australian edition of The Masked Singer, leaving in the first episode.

She frequently appears on morning and talk shows such as Studio 10, Sunrise, Today Australia, Today Extra Australia, and The Project. Other television credits include appearances on programs like Beauty and the Beast, Midday, SlideShow, Good Morning Australia, Celebrity Name Game, Q&A, Good News Week, You Have Been Watching, and Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation.

Nova 100

In 2003, Killeen temporarily filled in as host for Nova 100's show Hughesy, Kate & Dave during Kate Langbroek's maternity leave.

Literary works

Killeen has authored a variety of books, including:

The Night my Bum Dropped (2009), ISBN 978-0-670-07295-8 How To Live With a Sausage in a Bonnet (1991), ISBN 0-09-182583-0 Baby on Board: A Beginner's Guide to Pregnancy (1991), ISBN 1-86330-106-2 Every Girl's Geek Guide (1992), ISBN 0-09-182697-7 Visible Panty Line (1998), ISBN 0-14-028891-0	Cherry Pie (1999), ISBN 0-09-183749-9 What'll We Get for Grandma? (1999), ISBN 0-09-183869-X You're Joking! (2001), ISBN 1-74051-772-5
Fleur Trotter series
My Life Is a Toilet (1994), ISBN 0-09-182850-3 The 'My Life Is a Toilet' Instruction Book: How To Make the Most of Your Pathetic Existence (1995), ISBN 0-09-183270-5 My Life Is a Wedgie (2000), ISBN 0-09-183955-6	My Life Is a Boob Tube (2002), ISBN 1-74051-758-X My Life Is a Girdle (2003), ISBN 1-74051-899-3
The My Sister series
My Sister's a Yoyo (1997), ISBN 0-09-183479-1 My Sister's an Alien (1998), ISBN 0-09-183902-5 My Sister's a Sea Slug (1999), ISBN 0-09-183954-8	My Sister's a Burp (1999), ISBN 0-09-183962-9 My Sister's a Full Stop (2000), ISBN 0-09-183968-8 My Sister's a Nightmare (2000), ISBN 0-09-184079-1
Hot Buns & Ophelia series
Hot Buns & Ophelia Get a Bloke (2000), ISBN 0-14-029965-3 Hot Buns & Ophelia Get Shipwrecked (2001), ISBN 0-14-029966-1
The Very Naughty Mother series
The Very Naughty Mother Goes Green (2002), ISBN 1-74051-763-6 The Very Naughty Mother Runs Away (2003), ISBN 1-74051-764-4	The Very Naughty Mother Goes Invisible (2003), ISBN 1-74051-906-X The Very Naughty Mother Is a Spy (2004), ISBN 1-74051-907-8

Film appearances

Killeen appeared briefly in the Australian movie Gettin' Square, portraying the character Rhonda Halliwell.

Theatre roles

She took on the role of the Narrator in productions of The Rocky Horror Show staged in Sydney and Melbourne during 2008, and reprised this role once more in Sydney in 2024.

Personal life

Born in Sydney, Killeen has two grown children from her previous marriage to Mark Morgan.

Mo Awards

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards celebrated accomplishments in live performance from 1975 until 2016. In 2000, Gretel Killeen received the award for Female Comedy Performer of the Year.

(wins only)

|- | 2000 | Gretel Killeen | Female Comedy Performer of the Year | |-

External links