Robert Irwin tops Australian Talent Index

By AdNews | 20 October 2025
 
I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here 2024. Hosts Robert Irwin and Julia Morris.

Robert Irwin, host of Network 10’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! has been named Australia’s most popular broadcast personality for the second year in a row in the 2025 Australian Talent Index’s Top Talent Report from Talent Corp.

Irwin is the most popular broadcast personality by both male and female audiences. He was closely followed by comedian, podcaster, and TV personality Andy Lee, who has, for the first time, ranked ahead of his long-time comedic partner, Hamish Blake.

Rebecca Gibney has also come out strong in the Top Talent Report, making her debut in 2025 on the overall list at fourth  and ranking as the most popular female broadcast celebrity. 

Others in the Top 40 Broadcast Talent list include comedians, chefs, sports stars, journalists and radio personalities.

Compared to the 2024 list, Dr Chris Brown has slipped one place to fifth, celebrity chef Manu Feildel has been usurped by comedian Glenn Robbins.

Singer Marcia Hines made her debut in the top 10 this year, along with tennis legend Todd Woodbridge and celebrity chef Poh Ling Yeow. 

Comedian Kitty Flanagan, journalists Peter Overton, Ally Langdon and Natalie Barr, and Sophie Monk have dropped out of the top 10. 

“The Talent Index was created to meet the industry’s need for robust, data-driven metrics that measure a personality’s appeal, that goes far beyond social media likes and engagement,” said Talent Corp Managing Director, Mark Noakes.

“Our 2025 Talent Index confirms that audiences respond strongly to personalities who combine authenticity with reach. Robert Irwin topping the list again demonstrates the commercial power of a celebrity whose appeal is both broad and trusted.

“For marketers, the Index is more than a popularity ranking, it’s a data-driven tool that highlights which personalities can deliver the broadest possible audience appeal within a campaign’s target demographic that you won't be able to find in ChatGPT or Google's Gemini."

The Talent Index also charts the most popular celebrities across radio only, with Amanda Keller, Carrie Bickmore and David Hughes taking out the top three spots.

Across TV only, the top three celebrities are Robert Irwin, Andy Lee and Hamish Blake.

The Top Talent Report showcases the latest findings of the Australian Talent Index, a measurement system that gauges consumers’ awareness, attitudes, and sentiments towards a range of Australian talent, including celebrities, broadcasters, comedians, sports stars and chefs. 

This year, a nationally representative sample of more than 4,000 Australians were surveyed by Lewers Research, rating more than 500 personalities, and providing comments on how they felt about each one across a number of measures*.

Celebrity endorsements are a central part of today’s marketing landscape, with brands investing millions to collaborate with personalities who can authentically influence audiences.  

Broadcast 

Most trusted

Veteran Seven Network journalist and newsreader Chris Reason is considered Australia’s most trusted broadcaster, followed by chef and TV presenter Karen Martini and 10 News sports presenter Tara Rushton.

Most likeable

New host of Network 10’s Big Brother, Nova radio announcer and Network 10’s Cheap Seats Cultural Correspondent, Mel Tracina is the most likeable broadcast personality, followed by celebrity cook and TV host, of former MasterChef fame, Courtney Roulston.

Most controversial

KIIS FM radio host Kyle Sandilands was considered Australia’s most controversial broadcaster again in 2025, followed by comedian Jim Jefferies.

Most entertaining

Australian comedian Aaron Chen is considered Australia’s most entertaining broadcast talent in 2025, followed by TV presenter and social media star Jimmy Rees and actor and comedian Glenn Robbins. 

Most relatable

Podcaster Mitch Churi has been named most relatable broadcast personality for the second year running.

Breakfast TV and radio

In the TV and radio battle for breakfast, Nine’s Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic tops the list, narrowly beating KIIS FM Breakfast co-host, Kyle Sandilands and Nova Sydney Breakfast co-host Kate Ritchie.

TV news and current affairs – most trustworthy

Nine’s Peter Overton topped the list once again in 2025 as Australia’s most trustworthy news broadcaster, followed by the Seven Network’s Mark Ferguson.

Celebrity chefs and food critics

Curtis Stone topped this year’s list, followed by Manu Feildel and Matt Preston.

Sports presenters

The most respected sports presenter was former AFL player and coach and now Seven Network and 3AW commentator Leigh Matthews, followed by Seven’s Bruce McAvaney and former netballer and Nine commentator, Catherine Cox.

Comedians

Sam Pang came out as the top comedian this year, followed by Dave Hughes and Hamish Blake.

talent index 2025 supplied october

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