Friday 1 July 2022 02:03 PM ABC host Leigh Sales reveals the one question she's always asked by 7.30 viewers trends now
Leigh Sales revealed the one question she is always asked by viewers as the ABC paid tribute to her 12 years as host of the iconic daily current affairs series, 7.30.
Thursday was Sales' final day on the show after she announced her shock departure earlier this year, and on Friday, ABC ran a farewell special to look back at her career.
In it, she revealed the one question she is asked by viewers, looked back at some of her best interviews and also spoke about her desperate attempts to hold the rich and powerful to account.
'So many people, so many stories, it's impossible to remember them,' she said. 'But with everything we do, there's one question viewers asked me more than anything else. 'Why don't they answer the question?"'
The show ran a segment showing the many times she crossed horns with politicians and other interviewees as she battled to get a response to her questions.
Viewers also saw a recap of her interview with Shane Warne and Blanche d'Alpuget, the widow of the former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
Viewers also saw a recap of her interview with Shane Warne and Blanche d'Alpuget, the widow of the former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Leigh Sales reveals the one question she's always asked by viewers
'Shane Warne was one of my all time favourites. Absolutely loved him so much charisma, just fun from the second he walked in,' she said.
'I was so sad when he died and it was kind of rattling to remember that we had talked about it in that interview. He'd been for some counselling with a psychologist and had to think about his own death.
'He just struck me as so unapologetically who he was - he never pretended to be someone he wasn't.'
A clip showing her interview with Blanche showed how both women were moved to tears as they spoke about former PM Hawke.
Sales said she wasn't sure what will come next after her departure as she signed off.
'I could not have imagined all those years ago when I started all the ways the world would change and the way my own life would,' she said.
'I've met some of the most amazing people, the people I work with every day reporters, producers, people you've never heard of who work behind the scenes.
'They contribute so much to what you see on air and they are what I'll miss the most about 7.30.
'As to what comes next, who knows? That's the beauty of news.'
On Friday, ABC ran a Farewell to Leigh Sales special at 7.30 to look back at her career
The show then ran a segment showing the many times she crossed horns with politicians and other interviewees
The ABC favourite will take six months off to spend time with her two young sons after announcing her shock departure earlier this year.
Sales' final show coincided with ABC's 90th birthday celebrations on Thursday night.
Her last day began with a Krispy Kreme donut and coffee from 7-11 before spending several hours in the hair and make-up chair.
She was seen celebrating with friends, family and colleagues at ABC's Sydney headquarters before the show and stepped outside briefly to greet and embrace her sons.
It was business as usual for a composed Sales at the start of Thursday's night's show as she got straight into introducing the first segment about 1994 fatal bombing of the National Crime Authority's Adelaide headquarters.
There was no mention of her departure until the three few minutes of the program when she struggled to maintain her composure and choked back tears.
Leigh Sales was all smiles for the cameras before her last episode of 7:30 on Thursday night
'Tonight is my final episode of 7:30 as anchor,' Sales began.
'Tomorrow night there is a special edition of 7:30 looking back over the many, many years.
'I've loved every minute. It's been an absolute privilege.'
'Thanks for your company, goodnight.'
Her voice crackled with emotion and she could be seen wiping away tears as the final credits rolled.
Sales opted to not wear Member of the Order of Australia badge on her lapel, which she has worn for big interviews and occasions, including her bombshell resignation and final interview with former prime minister Scott Morrison before the recent election.
A select group of Sales' friends, colleagues and family gathered at ABC's Ultimo studios Thursday night for a farewell party to kick off when the cameras stop rolling as some of her interviewees paid tribute.
Leigh Sales choked back tears as she signed off on the program she has hosted since 2011
Leigh Sales quit the job to spend more time with her sons, who were there for her farewell
'Leigh Sales is a formidable journalist - smart, thorough, compassionate, and relentless. Thank you Leigh for your many years of tough interviews on 70, – your pursuit of the truth has helped Australians better understand our country + our world. All the best for what's next,' federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek tweeted.
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers added: 'For a dozen years on @730 and before that on Lateline, Leigh Sales has been a fierce, formidable and classy inquisitor. It was a big deal to be interviewed by her (and often a relief when it was over!). A complete professional and an absolute legend. All the best, Leigh.'
Peers from the media industry also paid tribute.
'Farewell to Leigh Sales. Always a class act and a true professional,' journalist Kate McClymont tweeted.
Some viewers were left disappointed with Sales' low-key sign-off from the show.
'Very poor send-off for Leigh Sales on 7'30. Not even flowers,' one woman tweeted.
Sales documented her last day on Instagram, which began casually dressed and make-up free while buying an early morning donut and coffee from 7-11, 'because nothing exciting ever happens on your last day'.
A make-up free Leigh Sales documented her day, which began with a donut and coffee
Leigh Sales later spent several hours in the chair getting her hair and make-up done
Leigh Sales sported a bright orange dress for her last day as 7.30 host
She later uploaded a photo of her bright orange dress hanging in
