Former Sunrise star, Basil Zempilas, elected Lord Mayor of Perth
Just one year after he quit his role as Weekend Sunrise host, Basil Zempilas has been elected the new Lord Mayor of Perth.
According to the ABC, Basil received 29.44 per cent of the vote and after the result said: "It's energising and it's exciting, and to be perfectly honest it's hard to believe we're here in this capacity."
The 49-year-old, who remained with Channel Seven and continued his sports presenting duties in Perth, took to his Instagram page to thank his supporters yesterday before the result was announced.
“THANK YOU...To all of my supporters and volunteers, to all of those supporting and volunteering for other candidates, to everyone who voted for me and to everyone who didn’t vote for me - what a great way to end a fabulous campaign... with a good old fashioned day at the polling station,” he started.
“As I’ve said now many times, the last three months have been one of the best experiences of my life - and whatever happens tonight, I am ready and I am richer for the experience.Good luck to all the Mayoral and Council candidates and bravo to each and every one of them for stepping up to the plate.”
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His wife, Amy Zempilas, also paid tribute to her husband on Instagram writing: “I’m very proud of how he has conducted himself. With great integrity. Encouragement for everyone around him. Good humour. Lots of hard work. Respectful to the other candidates.”
In October last year, Channel Seven farewelled the beloved Weekend Sunrise brekkie show host in a touching Instagram post.
“Farewell, Basil Zempilas! We hope you enjoy spending weekends with your family after two years as part of the Sunrise Family,” the team wrote on the official Sunrise Instagram account, alongside a picture of Basil with his fellow hosts, Sally Bowrey, Monique Wright and Simon Reeve.
The 49-year-old, who had been hosting the brekkie show on Saturday and Sunday alongside Monique Wright since early 2018 when Andrew O’Keefe left, also took to the social media site to say goodbye to his loyal fans.
“GOODBYE.... for now. Join me tomorrow as I close the door on two wonderful years on Weekend @sunriseon7 with Mon, Simon and Sal. I’ll be back.. but in the meantime, it’s family time,” he wrote.
Sports presenter Simon Reeve paid a gushing tribute to his friend and colleague in a lengthy Instagram post, saying that it is a ‘sad weekend’ for everyone at Sunrise.
“The big man will be signing off (not forever mind you) on Sunday to reclaim weekends with his dear family in Perth. I've said before of Mon, Sal and AOK, that I wish people could know them as I do. Ditto Baz,” Simon wrote.
He went on to say “there simply isn't a harder working person in the media.”
“He has boundless energy and is devilishly funny. Morning radio and television thrive on and devour such things. Above all, I think Baz has an almost old fashioned sense and air of the showman. The guy who brings the team and the crowd with him. Indeed Mon and he both have that essential - light up the room - gene. Step right up folks. It can be going to hell around them, but you read on, smile and leave 'em laughing.
“He's a great father, husband and most definitely a much loved colleague. Sharing the desk over the past couple of years has been a blast and a pleasure. Never a dull moment with the big man around. We will miss ya Baz.”
It was reported last year that Basil was ‘scaling back’ his commitments at the network, by stepping down from his role as Weekend Sunrise host in order to spend some more time with his family.
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