Star Line Up
All Australians were deeply saddened and shocked when we heard that one of our favourite daughters was stricken with cancer. And we celebrated when the news finally broke that Olivia Newton-John had won the toughest battle of her life, and was free of the disease.
Slowly Olivia regained her energy and creativity, and only recently began making public appearances to promote A Pig Tale, her children’s book about an environmentally friendly family of pigs. This promotional tour was in America where she was besieged by fans thrilled to see our Livvy happy and healthy again.
Now Australia will have the privilege of honouring this superstar’s bravery when she makes a special guest appearance at the glittering 1993 People’s Choice Awards, conducted by the Seven Network in association with Woman’s Day. What makes these annual awards so special is that you the public chooses all the winners. And this year’s spectacular telecast will give all of Australia an opportunity to share Olivia’s triumphant return to TV.
Jacqui Culliton, producer of the Awards night, says: “We tried desperately to get Olivia last year but she was really too ill. She basically hasn’t been in front of a live audience for a long time. As far as singing is concerned, she says she is not ready yet but she’s terribly flattered, very happy and very keen to be a presenter this year. It’s a little early to announce exactly what she’ll be doing on the show … we’ll keep it a surprise, but I can guarantee that it will be memorable.”
Olivia, 45, will fly to Sydney with husband Matt Lattanzi and daughter Chloe, who will also be invited to participate on the night. And the big news is Police Rescue hunk Gary Sweet is this year’s main host of The People’s Choice Awards.
Garry McDonald will be a hard act to follow, but, as Jacqui points out: “Gary Sweet is enormously popular. He is a legitimate choice. He can act, and surprise, surprise, he can also sing. We might audition him for a quick few bars on the night.”
Gary, 36, was a highlight of the Seven’s telecast last year when he abseiled from a great height on to the stage. Recently Gary injured his back repeating the stunt for the movie version of Police Rescue. (More on Gary’s real-life rescue role on pages 16 and 17). Gary is “extremely flattered” to have been invited to host this year’s Awards, and has a few new stunts up his sleeve!
The Seven Network will telecast The People’s Choice Awards on Tuesday, November 23 at 8.30pm.