Gretel Killeen facts for kids

Gretel Killeen (born on February 3, 1963) is a well-known Australian comedian, television presenter, and author. She is most famous for being the host of the TV show Big Brother Australia. She hosted the show from when it first started in 2001 until the 2007 season. This also included Celebrity Big Brother in 2002. Gretel also hosted the 2009 TV Week Logie Awards, which are big awards for Australian TV.

Gretel Killeen's Career Highlights

Television Appearances

Early TV Shows

From 1989 to 1991, Gretel Killeen was a regular on the TV show Midday with Ray Martin. This show was on the Nine Network. She wrote and acted in a funny sketch called A Town Like Dallas. This sketch made fun of popular soap opera shows.

In 1990, Gretel also co-hosted a show called Coast to Coast for the Nine Network. She worked with Terry Willesee and John Mangos on this program.

Hosting Big Brother

Gretel Killeen was the main host of Big Brother Australia. She started hosting from its very first season in 2001. She continued to host every season until the seventh season in 2007.

In October 2007, it was announced that Gretel would be replaced as host. This was part of a plan to make the show new again. Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O took over as the new hosts.

Other TV Roles

Gretel Killeen has hosted many other important TV events. She co-hosted the Sydney New Year's Eve 2006–07 telecast with Daniel MacPherson. She also hosted the Australia Day eve celebrations on January 25, 2006. In 2007, she hosted Ten's TV coverage of the Australia Day ceremony.

In 2009, Gretel hosted the Logies, which are major Australian TV awards. She made a memorable entrance by being lowered onto the stage in an angel costume.

She also acted in a YouTube web series called The Horizon in 2013. She played a nurse named Angela Mercie in two episodes.

In 2015, Gretel co-hosted an ABC TV series called How Not to Behave. She hosted this show with Matt Okine.

In 2019, Gretel appeared as a contestant on the Australian version of The Masked Singer. She performed as the Octopus but was voted off in the first episode.

Gretel is often a guest on popular morning and talk shows. These include Studio 10, Sunrise, Today Australia, Today Extra Australia, and The Project. She has also appeared on many other shows over the years.

Radio Work

Nova 100

In 2003, Gretel Killeen filled in as a host on Nova 100's radio show Hughesy, Kate & Dave. She took over while Kate Langbroek was away on maternity leave.

Movie and Stage Roles

Movie Appearances

Gretel Killeen had a small role in the Australian film Gettin' Square. She played a character named Rhonda Halliwell.

Stage Performances

Gretel has also performed on stage. She was the Narrator in a stage production of The Rocky Horror Show. She performed this role in Sydney and Melbourne in 2008. She returned to the stage for the same role in Sydney in 2024.

Personal Life

Gretel Killeen was born in Sydney, Australia. She has two adult children from her previous marriage to Mark Morgan.

Awards and Recognition

Mo Awards

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards are important awards for live entertainment in Australia. They were given out every year from 1975 to 2016. Gretel Killeen won one of these awards.