Sunrise host Natalie Barr on landing the ‘biggest job’ of her life at 53

Sunrise host Natalie Barr says she’s proof women in TV aren’t overlooked when they get older after landing the ‘biggest job’ of her life at 53

New Sunrise co-anchor Natalie Barr believes she’s living proof that women in television aren’t written off when they reach a certain age.

The presenter told Stellar on Friday that landing ‘the biggest job’ of her life the same week she turned 53 speaks volumes.

She explained she’d been warned in the past about women being overlooked by TV executive as they get older.

Dream job: New Sunrise co-anchor Natalie Barr believes she’s living proof that women in television aren’t written off when they reach a certain age

‘But I’ve just got the biggest job of my life the week I’ve turned 53. So I guess that’s not true, is it?’ she said.

Natalie, a working mother to two teenage sons, then thanked Channel Seven for supporting her through her two pregnancies.

‘I think there’s a view that it’s a big bad TV station, it must be terrible for women. But I’ve had nothing but support from this company. I guess I’m living proof,’ she said.

Proving them wrong: The presenter told Stellar on Friday that landing 'the biggest job' of her life the same week she turned 53 speaks volumes. Pictured with co-host David 'Kochie' Koch

Proving them wrong: The presenter told Stellar on Friday that landing ‘the biggest job’ of her life the same week she turned 53 speaks volumes. Pictured with co-host David ‘Kochie’ Koch

Success: Natalie explained she'd been warned in the past about women being overlooked by TV executive as they get older. 'But I've just got the biggest job of my life the week I've turned 53. So I guess that's not true, is it?' she said. Pictured with Kochie and Edwina Bartholemew

Success: Natalie explained she’d been warned in the past about women being overlooked by TV executive as they get older. ‘But I’ve just got the biggest job of my life the week I’ve turned 53. So I guess that’s not true, is it?’ she said. Pictured with Kochie and Edwina Bartholemew

Natalie also spoke about transitioning to the anchor position after 18 years in the newsreader’s seat.

‘I know this [co-hosting] job brings with it more publicity and more attention, and I think I’m prepared for that, but I’m also a little bit daunted by all that,’ she said.

Sunrise has maintained its strong ratings since Natalie took over from Sam Armytage, proving she’s the right person for the job.

Safe pair of hands: Sunrise has maintained its strong ratings since Natalie took over from Sam Armytage, proving she's the right person for the job

Safe pair of hands: Sunrise has maintained its strong ratings since Natalie took over from Sam Armytage, proving she’s the right person for the job 

Sunrise received an expected spike to 308,000 metro viewers for Sam’s departure special last Thursday, before settling back to 248,000 on Monday and holding steady with Natalie at the helm alongside David ‘Kochie’ Koch.

It comes after Natalie revealed her first day on the job was ‘nightmarish’.

‘I love covering the news, I love going out to these stories. But the attention on me is not my natural habitat,’ she told TV Blackbox.

Out of her comfort zone: Natalie revealed her first day on the job was 'nightmarish'. She told TV Blackbox, 'I love covering the news... But the attention on me is not my natural habitat'

Out of her comfort zone: Natalie revealed her first day on the job was ‘nightmarish’. She told TV Blackbox, ‘I love covering the news… But the attention on me is not my natural habitat’

‘Yesterday, the first day, was probably a bit nightmarish for me because everyone kept asking, “How are you? How are you going? What’s it like?”

‘I just wanted to go back to the new normal, where we’ll actually be covering the news, and the events and the great interviews that we do – not me!’

Sam, who joined Sunrise in 2013, resigned earlier this month in order to spend more time with her family after eight years in the public spotlight.

Departing: Sam Armytage (left) resigned earlier this month in order to spend more time with her family after eight years in the spotlight. Pictured with her husband, Richard Lavender

Departing: Sam Armytage (left) resigned earlier this month in order to spend more time with her family after eight years in the spotlight. Pictured with her husband, Richard Lavender