A live-to-air audition has firmed Chris O’Keefe’s odds of taking over from Tracy Grimshaw as host of A Current Affair.

O’Keefe filled in on Thursday night, with entertainment reporter Peter Ford saying his audition was an impromptu decision made by network bosses.

“He was always going to be doing a screen test yesterday but, what happened was, Tracy called in sick,” Ford told 6PR Breakfast host Gareth Parker.

Tap PLAY to hear how Thursday’s show rated with O’Keefe in the chair