Chris Bath

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Chris Bath : biography

13 May 1967 –

In 1999, she returned to the Late News, as well as reading afternoon news bulletins on Sydney radio station 2WS from May. In July, she did a now infamous interview with Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph which did not sit well with management. Among other things, she said she’d "refused to work on" Today Tonight and was the "only presenter" at Seven writing her own updates. Outside the news, she appeared as a guest panelist on Geoffrey Robertson’s Hypotheticals in October, and on 31 December she hosted the networks New Year’s Eve coverage.

In 2000, Bath was part of Seven’s host team for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, including a spot on Olympic Sunrise. In August, she carried the Olympic Torch in Newcastle. Bath was then given the honour of co-hosting the prelude to the Opening Ceremony live on stage at the Olympic Stadium, while seven months pregnant with her first child.

After having son Darcy in late 2000, she returned to political interviewing in 2001 as presenter of Sunday Sunrise and stayed for three years, as well as presenting Sydney’s weekend 6 pm news bulletin until 2004 (including an extended bulletin live from Bali on 12 October 2003). In 2001 she also co-hosted part of the networks Federal Election coverage on 10 November.

In 2004, she began presenting Seven Morning News where she replaced Chris Reason.

In 2005, Bath was a contestant in the third Australian series of Dancing with the Stars alongside professional dance partner Trenton Shipley. In seven out of the ten weeks of the series she obtained the highest score from the judges, including the semi final and grand final. However when the votes were combined with those of the viewers, Chris Bath finished second to Home and Away actor Ada Nicodemou for the title of Dancing with the Stars Champion.

From 12 December 2005, Bath presented Seven News Sydney until the end of 2005. She then returned Seven Morning News on Wednesday to Friday and did the Seven News Sydney weekend news until mid January 2006. She also presented the summer breakfast show on Sydney radio station WSFM 101.7 from 12 December until 13 January.

On 7 December 2005, Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph printed that Bath had been in talks with the Nine Network to become the host of the Today breakfast show in 2006. However, Seven insiders say Bath was contracted to Seven until 1 December 2006 at the time and the Nine Network denied approaching her. The Herald Sun reported Bath turned down the position because she could not cope with the early starts and she wanted to honour her contract with Seven. The role eventually went to now former Ten News Sydney presenter, Jessica Rowe (who was also eventually replaced by Lisa Wilkinson less than 18 months later).

In 2006, Bath began presenting Seven Morning News on Monday to Thursday and the Sydney evening news on Fridays. From May, Bath swapped roles with Ann Sanders to present the weekend evening news in Sydney as well as Fridays. Ann took over the Morning News. Later that year, Bath also presented a new employment based reality series for the Seven Network titled You’ve Got The Job.

During 2007 and 2008, Bath often presented the Seven Late News updates and Seven 4.30 News on Fridays. This continued into 2009, with Bath replacing Monique Wright as the Friday presenter of Seven 4.30 News.

In January 2009, Bath was appointed presenter of Seven’s new current affairs program, Sunday Night.

Later in the year, the network confirmed that Bath would become the weeknight presenter of Seven News Sydney when Ian Ross retires. Bath took over the role on Monday 30 November 2009.

In July 2012, Channel 7 announced it would "revamp" its Sydney news desk by pairing Bath and husband Wilson as the news anchors. Colleagues have dubbed the pair "Mr and Mrs News". It is reported to be the first time in Australia that a married couple has anchored a news program.

Other

Outside the Seven Network, Bath’s standing in the industry was acknowledged in 2004 when she was asked to judge entries for the TV current affairs reporting and camera category of the prestigious Walkley Awards for journalism.

Bath is also a master of ceremonies, having MC’ed a number of events including the Jeans for Genes Day Art Auction in Sydney on 12 July 2007 and 20 July 2006.

Bath also enjoys motivational speaking, and in 2003 she took a large role in the "Step to the future" youth leadership forum for school students in Sydney. On 24 July, Chris is to speak at the "Empowerment through Inspiration" Summit in Queensland where she will address her experiences and challenges in becoming a leader, building a team and networking.

Bath is also a Celebrity Ambassador for the Petrea King Quest for Life Foundation.

Personal life

Bath was born and raised in Sydney’s working-class western suburbs Born in Auburn and raised in South Wentworthville, she attended Holroyd High School. Later, she enrolled at Sydney University where, in 1985, she studied English, psychology, German and legal institutions for two months before deciding it was not for her. Harbouring no ambitions to be a journalist, she started working at a restaurant in Surry Hills and became a trainee manager at Kmart Merrylands – a position which she reportedly left because they would not let her make jokes while announcing red light specials.

In 1997, Bath married composer Denis Carnahan and in late 2000 Bath gave birth to son Darcy.

In 2008, after 10 years of marriage Bath and Carnahan separated.

In January 2012, Bath married Seven News Sport presenter and reporter Jim Wilson.