TODAY team teases tardy Georgie

It's probably the toughest gig in Australian television because of its early starts, but in seven years TODAY presenter Georgie Gardner has never been late to work — until now.

The journalist was filling in as host in Karl Stefanovic's absence, but the added responsibility did not stop Gardner from forgetting to set her alarm for the first time.

"You sure you're not just all early?" she told co-hosts mocking her for her tardiness when she finally arrived.

"For the first time in seven years I forgot to set my alarm.

"The boys on the floor said to me, 'Gee, we can set our watch by you'."

Gardner, who does not sleep in the same room as her mobile phone, had to be awakened by a TODAY staffer tapping on her door.

She said the wardrobe and makeup team backstage acted like a "pit crew" to get her camera-ready in a hurry.