Is that a compliment? Duncan Garner describes co-host as 'female me'

Duncan Garner and Story co-host, Heather du Plessis-Allan.

Duncan Garner has described his female co-host Heather du Plessis-Allan, as "the female version of me".

Set to launch next Monday, Story will compete with TV One's Seven Sharp.

Garner tells The TV Guide he has been watching du Plessis-Allan since she started her career 10 years ago, citing their similar qualities.

"I've thought she was hugely talented and creative and energetic - maybe the female version of me in a way," he says.

The two specify they don't want to be the new Campbell Live, nor does Garner want to be a "pony" that front's a programme and does little else.

In what was clearly intended to be a dig at his Seven Sharp rival Mike Hosking, Garner said: "I don't see myself as some kind of pony that turns up in a Ferrari at 6pm in a $4000 suit to host a show at 7pm and then go home to a big mansion, that's not what I do."

To those that say the duo will be unable to match the success of Seven Sharp, Garner has another message: "We can't be Seven Sharp, we don't want to be Seven Sharp... I've never copied anyone in my life. I have always been who I am. If people don't like it, sorry about that, but this is what we do."

- nzherald.co.nz