Jones replaces Steve Gray on TV1's Good Morning

Hadyn Jones has been chosen to replace Steve Gray as the new co-host of Good Morning, TVNZ announced today.

He joins Sarah Bradley and Brendon Pongia on the 9am magazine-style show following previous stints as a reporter for One News, 20/20 ,and Close Up.

Jones, who has won two broadcasting awards since joining TVNZ in 2003, is well-known for a 20/20 interview in which he asked Nicky Watson if her breasts were real.

His predecessor Steve Gray was dumped last year after he was allegedly told to "tone down" his gayness, Woman's Day reported.

"Tone down your gayness? How do you do that? It's like saying to (co-host Brendon Pongia), `Tone down your Maori'!" was Gray's reponse.

TVNZ said it was a network decision and offered Gray regular guest slots this year on the show, which he declined.

Gray described the axing as a "weird decision".

"I don't want to sound like a dick, but I'm a great interviewer ... I never once stuffed up an interview, swore or got caught out on the job."

Good Morning returns to screens February 8 after a summer hiatus.

- NZPA