Sam Pang has taken home the coveted Gold Logie Award for most popular personality on Australian television.
The funnyman and former Logies host proved his popularity on the night by beating out Allison Langdon, Julia Morris, Lisa Millar, Poh Ling Yeow and Todd Woodbridge for the top gong.
‘Thank you very much. I don’t know what to say. I have never received a standing ovation,’ said Sam as he accepted the award from Magda Subanski who made a surprise appearance to present the award.
Pang went on congratulate all of his fellow nominees, including this year’s host, Robert Irwin.
‘What a wonderful job you’ve done,’ he said, before pointing out the wildlife warrior’s age. ‘Twenty-two years. I’ve got neck ties older than you.’
Earlier in the evening Pang and Tom Gleisner took to the stage to accept the Best Comedy Entertainment Program Award for Have You Been Paying Attention?
Sam Pang has taken home the coveted Gold Logie at the 2026 Logie Awards in Sydney on Sunday.
The funnyman and former Logies host proved his popularity on the night by beating out Allison Langdon, Julia Morris, Lisa Millar, Poh Ling Yeow and Todd Woodbridge for the top gong
In May Sam revealed he was walking away from his Logies hosting role.
The affable presenter told The Age that his three-year tenure as host of TV’s night of nights had come to an end.
‘I’ve had three great years, and it was wonderful, but I’m just not going to do it this year,’ he said.
The publication reported that Sam had been approached to host this year’s awards but her ‘politely declined’.
‘It was very amicable,’ he said.
‘I’m well aware I may never do it again, and whoever does it I’m sure will do a great job, but I just thought three was a nice number.’
Sam’s cheeky and irreverent comedy as Logies host for three years running proved to be a big hit with audiences and TV’s A-list, as well as a major ratings winner for Seven.
The 2025 broadcast enticed an average of 1.43 million viewers – giving the Logies its highest numbers since 2012.
Sam’s debut as Logies host in 2023 was also well-received by fans and a ratings success for Seven, with the show drawing an impressive 877,000 viewers.
Earlier in the evening Pang and Tom Gleisner took to the stage to accept the Best Comedy Entertainment Program Award for Have You Been Paying Attention?
In May Sam revealed he was walking away from his Logies hosting role
And viewers credited Sam for the success, with many tuning in to the Logies for the first time just to see him as host.
While there has been no word from Seven as to who will fill Sam’s shoes, according to whispers inside the network, several very different names are now being discussed internally.
Among those believed to be on the shortlist are comedians Aaron Chen, Jim Jefferies, and Kitty Flanagan, as well as beloved wildlife warrior Robert Irwin.
‘There’s a real divide internally about what direction the Logies should go in,’ an insider told Daily Mail last week.
‘Some executives want somebody edgy and unpredictable, while others think the event needs a more universally loved, family-friendly face.’
