Gillard to appear on Oprah show
Jacqueline Maley December 07, 2010
As the first of Oprah Winfrey's audience members touched down in Sydney this morning, it was revealed that the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, will also appear on the show.
About 300 of Winfrey's biggest fans will be in Sydney for their promised Ultimate Australian Adventure.
The talk show queen is wrapping up her 25th and final season with a trip to Australia, where she will film two episodes at the Sydney 'Oprah' House.
Oprah will be arriving by private jet, but there is speculation that she will not arrive until tomorrow.
A host of Australian celebrites are expected to appear on the shows, to be taped next week.
Ms Gillard was expected to appear in either a pre-recorded or live segment.
Oprah's audience members, aged 18 to 75, will be given a full tour, visiting all eight states and territories.
Australia will also be the focus of a third episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, which will involve Oprah's audience members cataloguing their travel experiences.
Federal Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson has again lauded the decision to choose Australia for Ms Winfrey's big finale, in which 12,000 Australians will get to watch filming live.
"Oprah is a household name, not just in the United States but in the 145 countries where the show is broadcast," he said in a statement.
"That Oprah has chosen Australia as her Ultimate Adventure destination sends a powerful message to her millions of fans around the world.
"Most importantly, it shows that a holiday Down Under is not just do-able, but very desirable."
The show was also a reminder to Australians to embrace domestic travel, Mr Ferguson said.
He extended a warm welcome to Ms Winfrey's audience and her cast and crew.
The episodes are due to air in both the United States and Australia in January.
- with AAP
