End of the Story as current affairs show airs last episode

Story hosts Duncan Garner and Amanda Gillies sign off after 16 months on air.

While all the attention may have been on Paul Henry yesterday, his morning show wasn't the only TV3 show that came to an end.

Current affairs show Story signed off for the last time yesterday after 16 months on air.

In honour of the final episode, hosts Duncan Garner and Amanda Gillies presented a highlight of some of the biggest stories from the last year, including their Olympic coverage, funny moments from the Friday Story and the time they set fire to a house.

They also hosted a party for their staff and recurring guests, which saw panelist Mary Lambie pinch reporter Ryan Bridges on the bum as he prepared to go live.

There was no mention of the most controversial story to come out of the show, when host Heather du Plessis-Allan bought a gun online with incorrect information to test the system.

Du Plessis-Allan was a no show at the farewell party, and aside from several clips, there was no mention of her time as co-host. She was made to leave the show three weeks ago after an interview with the Herald where she discussed her desire to cut back on work once the show had finished.

The 7pm show was launched in August 2015, three months after the controversial cancellation of Campbell Live after 10 years. The show was axed last month after low ratings, and will be replaced next year by a local version of Australian panel show The Project, which looks more comedically at the news. Mediaworks is yet to announce who will host the show, though Jesse Mulligan, Kanoa Lloyd and Guy Williams are reportedly in the running.

There was no mention made of the replacement show during Story's final episode, though Garner twice mentioned The AM Show, the new morning show that will replace Paul Henry. Yesterday also marked the end of his three years hosting the drive slot on RadioLive.

The end of Story marks the end of a tumultuous two years for TV3 that saw them lose John Campbel, Hilary Barry, Paul Henry and David Farrier, amongst others. With the launch of two new current affairs shows next year, the channel will likely be hoping for a fresh start come 2017.