Aussie mum breaks silence from Taiwan jail
Television's widely anticipated replacement for The Project has kicked off with an exclusive interview with convicted Australian drug smuggler Debbie Voulgaris from a Taiwanese prison.
10 News+, which will air from 6pm on weeknights, promises viewers 'explosive' revelations in the case for its first episode.
Ms Voulgaris, a Melbourne mum-of-five, speaks from an overcrowded women's prison in Taipei and states emphatically that she is innocent of the allegations that have put her behind bars for 15 years.
Ms Voulgaris was caught with 4kg of heroin and a small amount of cocaine at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan in late 2023.
She pleaded guilty to the charge and in late 2024 she was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
But she has maintained that she brought drugs in unknowingly.
Now, appearing on the current affairs program helmed by journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace, she pleads with two of her children via a video call to help get her back home to Australia. Debbie Voulgaris says she is innocent of her drug smuggling conviction. 10 News Credit: Supplied
'I'm innocent. I am innocent,' she says through tears.
'Please help me to get home as soon as possible.
'To my angels, that's all I can say.'
The program claims to have evidence that supports Ms Voulgaris' claim of innocence.
'She confessed in court in Taiwan, didn't she?' Mr Hitchcock in a clip of the program seen by NewsWire.
'Well, prepare yourself. The truth is explosive.'
In earlier promotional material, Mr Hitchcock and Ms Brace promise viewers the show will 'put the truth first'.
Mr Hitchcock has also claimed Monday night's episode would be 'an absolute blockbuster'.
'It's a story 60 Minutes, Four Corners and Spotlight would kill for,' he told Stellar Magazine.
The Project ran for 16 years, ending its run with a farewell show last Friday night.
Mr Aly, in an emotional tribute, said the show had 'reflected the best of this country'. Journalists Denham Hitchcock and Walkley Award-winning journalist Amelia Brace will helm the new current affairs show. 10 News Credit: Supplied
'Could you do a prime time commercial news show that hooked its audience by playing with them instead of scaring them,' he said.
'That didn't trade on demonising groups of people who have no platform to respond?
'Not the done thing. Well, we done the thing.'
The Project launched in 2009 and Friday's finale was its 4504th episode.
Australian and international celebrities sent in supportive farewell video messages, with thanks and well wishes coming from G Flip, Robert Irwin, Jess Mauboy, Andy Lee, Pete Murray, Dannii Minogue, Katy Perry, Guy Sebastian and Shane Jacobson.
The Project's longest-serving host, Carrie Bickmore, was close to tears thanking everyone she crossed paths with over 13 years.
Ms Bickmore left the show to devote herself fully to fundraising efforts.
Channel 10 is owned by US entertainment giant Paramount Global.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
'A stalwart of stage and screen': Beloved Play School presenter and Australian actor Donald Macdonald dies after cancer battle
Australian actor, screenwriter and novelist Donald Macdonald, best known for his role as a presenter on ABC's Play School, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 86 years old. Macdonald was among the original faces of Play School when it launched in 1966, charming young audiences with his cheerful, engaging presence alongside co-stars including Don Spencer, Alister Smart and Lorraine Bayly. News of his death was confirmed by entertainment reporter and close friend Craig Bennett, who shared a heartfelt tribute on Monday. "One of our showbiz greats left us at 12:45am today," Bennett wrote, posting a carousel of photos of the late actor. "Donald Macdonald was a stalwart of stage and screen… He was a dapper delight and always great company." Bennett said Macdonald had faced cancer with "copious good humour" and was surrounded by loved ones in his final days. "His cherished cousin Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett have been in residence as his last days approached," he wrote. "On Saturday we turned his hospital room into a party- laughs and smiles a-plenty- as Donald enjoyed some bubbly and lemon meringue pie! "…Vale to a true gentleman." After MacDonald finished up with Play School in 1969, the Sydney-born performer went on to star in his own TV series I Married a Bachelor, and made memorable guest appearances in Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, The Pathfinders, A Country Practice, Cop Shop, Skyways, Rafferty's Rules and Rake. His film credits included Superman Returns and Kenny. Beyond acting, Macdonald was an accomplished writer. He penned the award-winning stage play Caravan- a classic Australian comedy about couples navigating life on the road, as well as Hot Taps, Giuseppe, Saints Alive, Seasons, Boulevard Play, and Truth. He was widely respected in the arts community, earning an A.O. (Officer of the Order of Australia) in 1991 for his work as General Manager of the Australian Opera, and later an A.C. (Companion of the Order of Australia) in 2006 for his contribution to national life and creative industries, including public broadcasting. Following the news, friends, family and fans have paid tribute to Macdonald's legacy. "A sad day! Another stalwart of the Australian television industry has left us…," one commenter wrote on Facebook. "My condolences to all his dear friends and family. Donald was unique in our industry and such a gentleman," added another. Actress Antonia Murphy recalled working with Macdonald on the first national tour of Caravan. "A very good man… was honoured to be part of the first national tour of Caravan. Some wonderful memories. Sending love to you all," she said.
Courier-Mail
an hour ago
- Courier-Mail
Holly Valance seen for first time without wedding ring after split from billionaire property tycoon Nick Candy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hook Ups & Break Ups. Followed categories will be added to My News. Holly Valance has been seen for the first time without her wedding ring following the news of her split from property tycoon Nick Candy. The former Neighbours actress and pop star, 42, was photographed at Heathrow's Terminal 5 wearing a black top, comfy blue jeans, a black cardigan and trainers. The Aussie carried a large suitcase and a Christian Dior tote bag as she made her way to a waiting car. Holly Valance has been spotted for the first time since her shock split from billionaire husband Nick Candy. Picture: BACKGRID The former Neighbours star, 42, arrived at Heathrow. Picture: BACKGRID The Aussie star was noticeably without her wedding rings. Picture: BACKGRID MORE: Who gets what in Holly, ex split It comes after it was revealed that Holly and Nick, 52, are divorcing after 13 years of marriage. Friends told The Sun that the couple had quietly separated in recent weeks. A family friend said: 'This has been a very difficult period for both Nick and Holly, and they are keeping things private out of respect for their family. 'The joint parenting of their two amazing daughters remains their top priority. 'They've had to juggle a demanding lifestyle. Between family, public life, and Nick's intense work commitments, it's been a tough balance.' Valance and Nick Candy married in 2012. Picture: Ricky Vigil/GC Images The couple – prominent figures in right-wing political circles – were last seen together in March during a lunch outing in London. Holly rose to fame in the early 2000s playing Felicity 'Flick' Scully in the Australian soap Neighbours, before launching a pop career. Valance played 'Flick' on Neighbours. She's seen here with British and Irish Lions stars Scott Murray and Jeromey Davidson. Her 2002 debut album Footprints produced several hits, including chart-topper Kiss Kiss. But she was sued by her former manager and forced to hand out a £200,000 ($415,000, not adjusted for inflation) pay out. Broke, she moved to Los Angeles where she continued her acting career, starring in US TV show Prison Break and appearing alongside Liam Neeson in Taken. Valance had chart-topping success with her song Kiss, Kiss. Nick, a billionaire property developer, co-founded the luxury real estate business Candy & Candy with his brother Christian in the early 1990s. Their developments include the ultra-exclusive One Hyde Park in London, valued at over $1 billion. The couple married in 2012 in a lavish £3 million ($6 million) ceremony in California attended by 300 guests, including music mogul Simon Cowell. In recent years, Holly and Nick have emerged as vocal supporters of Reform UK. Nick left the Conservative Party last year and was appointed Reform's treasurer in December, pledging to raise tens of millions for leader Nigel Farage — including donating a seven-figure sum himself. Following 13 years of marriage, the pair are going their separate ways. Picture: Neil Mockford/GC Images Holly has also been a visible presence in political circles. She visited Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022 alongside Farage and her husband attended Boris Johnson's wedding celebration in 2021. She is credited with encouraging Farage's return to frontline politics. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY Speaking last year about her political shift, Holly said she 'started off as a leftie'. 'Everyone starts off as a leftie and then wakes up at some point after making money, working, trying to run a business, trying to buy a home, then realises what crap ideas they all are,' she said. A spokesperson for the couple said: 'This is a private matter and we will not be making any further comment.' This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission Originally published as Holly Valance seen for first time without wedding ring after split from billionaire property tycoon Nick Candy
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
Beloved Play School presenter Donald Macdonald, dead at 86
Australian actor Donald Macdonald has died, aged 86. The former Play School presenter, who had a stage and TV career for 40 years, died following a battle with cancer. Macdonald appeared on Play School between 1966 and 1969. Journalist Craig Bennett broke the news of the death on Monday. 'One of our showbiz greats left us at 12:45am today,' the post read. He continued: 'Donald Macdonald was a stalwart of stage and screen, who'd written smash-hit plays like Caravan, dazzled on London's West End, and delighted millions over the decades with his starring turns on TV series like Play School where he was a presenter from 1966 to 1969.' 'He guested on shows from Certain Women, The Box, Cop Shop and Skyways, to the raunchy Alvin Purple, and in movies like Superman Returns. Donald was a dapper delight and always great company.' Macdonald had been with his cousins, Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett, according to Bennett. 'On Saturday we turned his hospital room into a party, laughs and smiles a-plenty, as Donald enjoyed some bubbly and lemon meringue pie,' he continued. 'Blue was always his colour, even in a hospital gown! He gave his permission to post his last photo, saying 'what the heck!' Vale to a true gentleman.' Macdonald had a storied career, including in several theatre shows, including Is Australia Really Necessary, A Cup of Tea, a Bex and a Good Lie Down. He also appeared in A Country Practice, Rake and Rafferty's Rules. A number of fans were quick to share their grief. 'We were VERY LUCKY to meet Donald through you both, get to know him, and be entertained by his lovely demeanor, sharp wit and of course his writing skills. What a lovely, gentleman. xx' one fan wrote. 'A very good man… was honoured to be part of the first national tour of Caravan. Some wonderful memories. Sending love to you all,' yet another added. 'Thank you, Craig for letting us all know. A sad day for those Left Behind who loved this dear gentleman. It's beautiful Craig how you honour people that need to be honoured and reminds all of us of their rich and incredible life. May he rest in peace. Xx' another added.
