Mary's Island mission 'AGE IS JUST A NUMBER'

The determined broadcaster's back to show that wisdom beats whingy any day

For seven years, she was one of the most familiar faces on television. Then Mary Lambie left Good Morning in 2003 when the show moved from Auckland to Wellington; since then, she’s focused on raising her three children and running a couple of businesses.

Now, after 20 years, she’s back on the small screen – this time on Celebrity Treasure Island. And Mary’s looking forward to being part of a reality programme that is very different to her previous TV work as a journalist and presenter.

“I’m up for the adventure,” says Mary, 59. “I know it will be mentally and physically demanding, but I am ready to prove that age is just a number. I’m as determined and spirited as the younger ones.”

She’s aware that younger contestants have sidelined older female ones in previous seasons but says that hasn’t put her off.

“When I look at the other cast members, I think, ‘Gosh, I’m physically disadvantaged here.’ They are stronger and faster, all the good stuff that comes with youth. But it’s not going to psych me out. Hopefully, I can make up for it in wisdom.

“I just have to rely on my other strengths, which will be getting on with them and possibly being a mother figure – not that I want to be their mother because I have got three kids of my own!”