Her candid interview with the pair after their rescue – in a special program titled The Great Escape – was a resounding success, peaking at 3.04 million viewers and averaging a national audience of 2.75 million, according to OzTam data.

It proved to be a sign of things to come, with Grimshaw’s tenure on A Current Affair defined by hard-hitting, exclusive and often explosive interviews. In her 17 years with the program, she has grilled everyone from prime ministers to premiers and celebrities to sports stars.

In 2009, she orchestrated interviews with swimmer Simon Cowley and the fellow swimmer who assaulted him, Nick D’Arcy. The same year Grimshaw interviewed former Cronulla Sharks player Matthew Johns in relation to allegations of group sex.

The impact of those two stories saw Grimshaw win the 2009 Walkley Award for broadcast and online interviewing.

Walkley Award judges commented: “When Matthew Johns sat down to talk to Tracy Grimshaw, we all sat down. It was compelling television as we watched a man’s career crumble. A tense and difficult interview, with the reporter also under particular pressures, but Grimshaw proved the expert interviewer.”

Grimshaw’s A Current Affair highlights also include an investigation into the Hey Dad! scandal, featuring interviews with the show’s cast and crew, and a memorable clash with former prime minister Scott Morrison just days out from this year’s federal election.

In 2018, Grimshaw was nominated for the Gold Logie for her work on A Current Affair.

Nine’s Director of News and Current Affairs, Darren Wick, said: “Tracy Grimshaw is an inspiration to us at Nine.

“She is the best interviewer on television and has been for many years. And she will forever take her place alongside the greatest interviewers that Australian journalism has ever seen.

“Tracy is stepping away from A Current Affair at the peak of her powers. That generates mixed feelings of joy and sadness for those among us who have known her for many years.”

Grimshaw’s decision to step down from A Current Affair comes a little under 12 months after she celebrated 40 years with Channel Nine.

Reflecting on her career at the time, Grimshaw said: “This job is a privilege, and usually people are talking to the hardest things that have happened in their lives, so I’ve been very lucky.”

Grimshaw also announced she will remain with program until November.

“Thank you for your loyalty. I hope I’ve repaid it. I’m around until November then I’m going to take a long holiday, but it’s business as usual until then. See you tomorrow night.”

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