Studio 10 was thrown into chaos on Thursday after host Tristan MacManus tested positive for COVID-19. Thankfully, The Bachelor star Matthew “Matty J” Johnson, who recently recovered from Omicron himself was available to front the show.
Sharing the crazy story on his Instagram, Matty posted a photo of himself in the studio and captioned it: “You know the entertainment industry has been hit hard with Covid when you’re the only person available to host @studio10au!”
He also documented the entire gig on his stories, writing: “Got a call at 8pm last night (which I thought was a prank) to fill in and host @studio10au. They asked if I had any experience with live TV/autocue — I lied. Good news … I got the job!”
He appeared on the show alongside Lachlan Kennedy and it seems like the two did a great job because they will be returning to host the show tomorrow morning as well.
After Tristan was forced to isolate, his co-host Sarah Harris had to quarantine as well as a precaution. Studio 10 did address their absence on Thursday’s episode, with both presenters appearing via Zoom from their homes.
“I am back sleeping in a Spiderman bed for the first time since I was 12 years old,” Tristan said. “Yesterday when we came into work, I was feeling a bit shady.
“I was really tired and hadn’t slept the night before and was really cold. I put it down to the fact I’ve got three kids.”
He continued: “As the day went on I started to feel better but I thought it would be the responsible thing to take a RAT test at home, which I did and unfortunately it came up positive.”
Sarah, while feeling fine, said she felt as if she had “won the lottery” after being forced to “kick back on the couch at home with barely any makeup on.”
Explaining her own situation, she added: “I had taken a rapid antigen test on Sunday, just to clear myself before coming into work and that was clear.
“I found three tests in Sydney after driving around all day Sunday. First was negative, second I took last night was absolutely fine – I’ve taken a third this morning, and there is the faintest little line…
“I’ve been looking it up, and apparently if there is a line there you have to isolate until you are clear.”
Catch Matty J on Studio 10 tomorrow between 8am and noon on Channel 10 and 10play.