‘It’s like MKR without Manu!’ House Rules: High Stakes fans plead for Johanna Griggs to return – as new hosts Jamie Durie and Abbey Gelmi receive mixed reviews
Johanna Griggs announced her departure from House Rules after seven years as host, in July last year.
And during Monday’s premiere episode of House Rules: High Stakes, viewers pleaded for the 46-year-old’s return.
In a series of tweets, fans also gave mixed reviews on new hosts Jamie Durie and Abbey Gelmi.
‘It’s like MKR without Manu!’ House Rules: High Stakes fans pleaded for Johanna Griggs’ return during Monday’s premiere episode – as new hosts Jamie Durie and Abbey Gelmi (both pictured) received mixed reviews
One viewer likened the absence of Johanna to an episode of My Kitchen Rules without judge Manu Feildel.
‘I just found out Joh is not on the show this year. That’s like #MKR not having Manu,’ they wrote.
Another simply asked: ‘Where the hell is Joh?!!’ while one pleaded with producers to ‘bring back the real host’.
Online: Select viewers pleaded with producers to ‘bring back’ Johanna in a series of tweets during the episode. Others gave mixed reviews on new hosts Jamie and Abbey
Some viewers praised Jamie, 49, for his presenting abilities, while others said there’s no need for a second host.
‘We really didn’t need a second host. Would have done just fine with Jamie, to be honest,’ one posted.
House Rules: High Stakes sees eight teams proving their worth in the toughest challenge ever – the transformation of a 33-storey penthouse on the Gold Coast.
Moving on: Johanna (pictured), 46, announced her departure from the show in July last year, after seven years as host
Alongside Jamie and Abbey, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Saul Myers and cricket WAG-turned-interior designer Kyly Clarke star as judges on the home renovation series.
Abbey admitted to Daily Mail Australia in December that she and Jamie have big shoes to fill.
‘Johanna did an amazing job over so many seasons, so we’re definitely hoping to do her and the show justice,’ she said.
‘Johanna did an amazing job over so many seasons’: Abbey admitted to Daily Mail Australia in December that she and Jamie have big shoes to fill
She also described Johanna as a ‘legend’ and ‘one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet’.
As for Jamie, Abbey said ‘it’s awesome to be working alongside him.’
‘He has been very generous with his time and advice, taking me under his wing and teaching me a lot about home renovations already,’ she revealed.
House Rules: High Stakes continues Tuesday at 7pm on Channel Seven
Panel: The House Rules 2020 season sees Jamie and Abbey join judges Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen (far left), Saul Myers (second left) and Kyly Clarke (centre)