Carly Flynn to host TV3's Sunrise

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Nightline beauty Carly Flynn is tipped to provide a ray of sunshine for TV3 viewers.

Sunday News can reveal Carly and edgy radio host James Coleman will present TV3's new breakfast show, Sunrise.

Executives settled on the unlikely pairing after a gruelling audition process.

TV3 has undertaken an exhaustive search for the hosts - who will go head-to-head with TV One's Breakfast presenters Paul Henry and blonde bombshell Pippa Wetzell.

Former entertainment reporter Belinda Henley - now based in London as a roving reporter - was flown back to audition for Sunrise.

Carly's star has been on the rise since she returned to New Zealand four years ago to take up a reporter's spot at TV3.

Taupo-raised Carly studied media arts in Waikato, majoring in journalism.

She began her career for the Herald community group newspapers and Counties Manukau radio station.

She later moved to Prime TV's Waikato and Bay of Plenty regional news where she proved her worth as a producer, reporter and presenter.

The 29-year-old was selected by TV3's chief of news and current affairs Mark Jennings to anchor the successful Nightline show in 2005.

Radio Live host James began his career at Radio Massey while studying.

James grew up in Marton and has dabbled in various mediums, including acting and hosting breakfast radio.

He picked up the best new broadcaster award at the 1998 New Zealand Radio Awards and hasn't looked back since.

TV3 is banking on its exclusive rights to the Rugby World Cup to entice viewers over to Sunrise, which is expected to debut later this month or early in September.

Jennings said earlier that TV3's audience had wanted a morning show for years and TVNZ's redundancy woes provided the perfect opportunity.

He said free-to-air morning television was a growth area internationally and he hoped Sunrise would encourage more viewers to tune in.

Sunrise will start at 6.30am, half an hour earlier than its TVNZ rival, and finish at 8.30am.

The Sunrise team team will also produce a midday news bulletin for the first time.

The anchors are likely to be joined by a news and weather presenter.

James said he could not comment about his new job.

"You'll have to go to TV3 publicity for that," he said.

Carly could not be reached for comment.