Lisa Wilkinson has announced that she will “retire” from hosting The Project.
The embattled TV presenter, 62, made the shocking admission during Sunday’s episode of the show.
I have decided that it is time to re-prioritize some things in my life. And after nearly 15 years of the early warning of breakfast TV, and now another five years here at The Project’s desk, I’m looking at how I want the next few years to play out both professionally and personally,” he said.
Lisa Wilkinson (pictured) has announced that she is “retiring” from hosting The Project
“So, starting tonight, I’m going to stop hosting the show.”
The TV presenter continued: “Sitting at this desk and working with this amazing team. Both in front of and behind the camera, it’s been an absolute privilege.
“These people are genuinely some of the most talented and decent humans I know,” he said.
The embattled TV host, 62, made the startling admission during Sunday’s episode of the show.
‘And you, our passionate and engaged audience, have been very kind to make me feel so welcome in your homes. I’ve had a ball, but for me, right now, it’s time for a change.
Lisa went on to explain that she would not be leaving Channel Ten and was “looking for some exciting job ideas for the future.”
But I have to be honest with you. The last six months have not been easy, and the relentless targeted toxicity of the media has taken its toll. Not just me, but the people I love,’ Wilkinson admitted.
‘I have to be honest with you. The last six months have not been easy, and the relentless targeted toxicity of the media has taken its toll. Not just me, but the people I love,’ Wilkinson said.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not above criticism, far from it. I’m human, and I don’t always get it right, none of us do, but by God I’ve tried.
I have given this job everything I have, and I hope you at home know it. I hope I have brought you important stories and introduced you to people whose lives and experiences would otherwise never be told, and helped focus issues that deserve our collective attention.
‘So to everyone who has been so incredibly supportive and reaching out, particularly in the last few months, thank you. You will never know how much it has meant to me.
Lisa went on to explain that she would not be leaving Channel Ten and was “looking for some exciting job ideas for the future”.
Lisa concluded: “I want to give a special thanks to Peter Meakin here at The Project, the wise old owl of news and current affairs in this country, who has been such an unwavering and generous support and mentor during my time on television, just as it has been for so many others.
‘And finally to Leigh Sales, Tracy Grimshaw and Carrie Bickmore, if you’d like a drink I’ll see you in the bar. I pay for the margaritas.
His co-star, Hamish Macdonald, praised Wilkinson for making the difficult decision.
His co-star Hamish Macdonald praised Wilkinson for making the difficult decision.
“I know that being your colleague and friend for some years, this is the right decision for you and your family at this time,” he said.
‘There have been days this year, particularly in the last six months, where I think you have taught all of us here a lesson about determination and tenacity. And you’ve been on camera even on days where, you know, it’s been tough.
‘So I understand how we ended up here. I know everyone here is a bit surprised by this. And there are many colleagues who will want to say goodbye with their love.
The departure comes after a controversial year for the TV presenter, during which she was taken off the air following her disastrous Logies speech that resulted in a rape trial being delayed. Pictured in the Logies
“They’re probably learning about this right now along with all of you back home, so I want to say on behalf of all of us here at The Project and at Ten, thank you so much because you’ve put everything you’ve got into this.
You work like a fucking horse. Is incredible.’
Macdonald concluded with a promise that Wilkinson would be able to return to the show in time.
Lisa made an unexpected return to the live panel in July, rehosting the Channel 10 show.
‘Have a great long rest, as long as you need. See you here when you’re ready,’ he said.
The departure comes after a controversial year for the TV presenter, during which she was taken off the air following her disastrous Logies speech that resulted in a rape trial being delayed.
Lisa made an unexpected return to the live panel in July, rehosting the Channel 10 show.
Wilkinson’s advocacy-tinged journalism landed her in hot water when she discussed an upcoming court case while accepting an award at Logies on June 19 (pictured)
She reportedly “ran back” to Australia so she could fill the hosting position, after moving to Hollywood for several weeks.
Lisa broke her silence on social media to reveal that she was in Los Angeles on July 18, sharing this photo of herself outside the Hotel California in Palm Springs.
His return was a “last minute” decision, inside sources told The Australian, leaving many industry figures stunned as earlier reports indicated he would not be back on the air until August.
Lisa broke her silence on social media to reveal that she was in Los Angeles on July 18, sharing this photo of herself outside the Hotel California in Palm Springs.
The former Today presenter was taken off the air in June after she discussed an upcoming rape trial while accepting an award at Logies.
The court case in question, originally scheduled for June 27, was pushed back to October as a result.
An ACT High Court judge ruled that Wilkinson’s speech had “blurred” the line between the prosecution and the guilty plea.
His brief return in July was a “last minute” decision, which left many industry figures shocked, as previous reports indicated he would not be back on the air until August. (Pictured: Wilkinson interviewing musician Ryan Tedder in a pre-recorded segment that aired in July)
Wilkinson is expected to be called as a witness at the trial, having interviewed the accuser on The Project before the charges were filed.
During her absence from the live panel, she recorded interviews in California with Gloria Allred and Ryan Tedder for The Project.
Lisa joined The Project in 2018, following her departure from the Today show following a pay dispute.
In November, The Daily Telegraph claimed that Wilkinson was pocketing a whopping $1.7 million a year on the current affairs panel show.
After her disastrous speech, in which a rape trial was delayed for several months, Wilkinson was taken off the air.