Lisa Wilkinson has announced that she will be stepping back from hosting Channel 10’s The Project, effective immediately. The news comes a month after the announcement of Carrie Bickmore’s departure from the show.
“I have decided that it’s time to reprioritize a few things in my life. After almost 15 years of the early alarm of breakfast TV and now another five years here at The Project desk, I’m looking at how I want the coming years to play out both professionally and personally. So from tonight, I’m stepping back from hosting the show,” Wilkinson said on Sunday night.
She continued, saying that ”To be clear, I’m not leaving 10 and we’re looking at some very exciting work ideas ahead. But I also have to be honest with you, the last six months have not been easy, and the relentless, targeted toxicity by some sections of the media has taken a toll – not just on me, but on people I love.”
Wrapping up her farewell announcement, Wilkinson joked that “to Leigh Sales, Tracy Grimshaw, and Carrie Bickmore – if you guys are up for a drink, I’ll see you at the bar because the margaritas are on me.”
A Network 10 spokesperson said: “Network 10 would like to confirm that Lisa Wilkinson has tonight announced that she is stepping away from The Project effective immediately.
“Lisa has been a wonderful host and important contributor to The Project for five years and as the end of the year approaches, Lisa feels it is the right time for her to take a break. We look forward to her continued work with the network in 2023, where we can capitalise, particularly, on her superb interviewing skills.”
Beverley McGarvey, executive vice president and chief content officer, Paramount Australia and New Zealand thanked Wilkinson for her contribution to the show.
“For five years now Lisa has brought experience and professionalism, as well as her signature warmth, compassion and integrity to both shows,” said McGarvey.
“In her time with the show she has continued to expose, present and report on a variety of ground-breaking and Walkley-nominated stories, both from the studio and out on the road. I know it is a role that Lisa has loved and embraced from day one.
“Lisa has brought her trademark intelligence, humour, empathy and sense of justice to everything she has done, and it is no surprise audiences have continued to welcome her into their loungerooms and onto their screens.
“I know she will be sorely missed both by our audience, and the entire Project team, and whilst we are saddened that Lisa will no longer be on The Project, we look forward to continuing our strong relationship with Lisa into 2023 and beyond.”
In June, the trial of the man accused of raping former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins was pushed back by ACT Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucy McCallum.
After Wilkinson gave a speech at the Logies about her interview with Higgins, lawyers for Bruce Lehrmann argued that the publicity that was generated by Wilkinson’s speech meant that he would not be able to proceed with a fair trial. At the time, 10 called some reporting of Wilkinson’s role in the trial “inaccurate and unfair.”