After 8 years on the Network 10 talk show, Peter Helliar has announced he will be leaving The Project to return to his writing and stand-up work. In response, The Project has today revealed its newest host, Sarah Harris, will be joining the panel five nights a week in 2023.
Part of the Network 10 family for almost 10 years, the mother-of-two has made her mark on Australian screens as a reporter, presenter, and most recently as co-host of Studio 10.
Sarah joins Waleed Aly, who will remain a mainstay of the show Monday through to Thursday.
“This is one of the biggest and best jobs in TV. How could I say no?” Sarah said.
“I’m beyond excited to be joining one of Australia’s most iconic and agenda driving shows. The Project does news like no other program in Australia and it’s exactly the kind of fun and fearless TV I love to make.
“I can’t wait to share the desk with Waleed, Hamish, Georgie and the rest of the team. I’m excited to shake it up in the new year!”
Waleed Aly said: “She’s smart. She’s warm. She’s great fun. That’s the trifecta for The Project. Everyone who’s worked with Sarah raves about her, and I can’t wait to become one of them.”
Hamish Macdonald will continue to hit the road to report from around the country and bring the weekend energy every Friday and Sunday night from the desk, while reporter and producer Georgie Tunny adds Friday co-hosting to her duties.
The announcement marks an exciting 2023 for the awarded news and current affairs show. This follows Helliar’s resignation announcement last night, as well as the recent resignations of co-hosts Carrie Bickmore and Lisa Wilkinson.
Helliar assured viewers of the show last night that his decision to leave is independent from Carrie and Lisa’s departures.
“All these things come in threes and it’s time for me to say bye,” he said.
“It’s something that’s been on my mind for some time … People will read into this situation however they want to read into it, but I need to create some space for some projects that I want to work on.
“I feel like there are some new areas that I’m going into hopefully next year that I need to be present for …”
After nearly 8 years at the desk, Peter Helliar will be leaving The Project. Here is the moment he made the announcement. pic.twitter.com/k1i19lWcM5
— The Project (@theprojecttv) November 22, 2022
Bickmore said the becoming few weeks will be a “very sad” time for the talk show, but she’s “blessed” to call Helliar an everlasting friend.
“It’s a huge day. The three of us have worked together for a long time [referring to Peter, Carrie & Waleed]. It’s going to be a very sad next few weeks … I’ve worked for you for nearly 17 years now,” Carrie said.
“…But I’m blessed to call you one of my great mates and this is not goodbye because we see each other outside of work, but you know, the desk will miss you, our viewers will miss you, it’s not just your humour, but your amazing interviews of the years…”
Helliar had been on Ten for 22 years, dating back to Rove Live in 2000.
After five years on the show, Lisa Wilkinson quit The Project on Sunday, telling viewers her departure is due to the “targeted toxicity” of sections of the media.
Last night, the incredible @Lisa_Wilkinson announced she was leaving The Project. Tonight, our panel take a moment to thank her for her incredible work. pic.twitter.com/4vezMEpflq
— The Project (@theprojecttv) November 21, 2022
“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’ve given this job everything I have,” she said.
Wilkinson has recently been under fire in the media, particularly in June when her Logies acceptance speech prompted the delay of the Brittany Higgins trial.
Finally, Carrie Bickmore – a founding co-host of The Project – announced she was leaving the talk show in October, calling it the “hardest decision” of her professional life.
.@BickmoreCarrie has been on The Project desk since the day we first launched in 2009 and tonight, Carrie has revealed that she will be leaving the show. Here is the moment she made the the announcement.#TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/a7RkxGl6KH
— The Project (@theprojecttv) October 11, 2022
“There’s so much I’m going to miss, I’m going to miss my best mates on the desk, the job itself, which is so incredibly fulfilling [and] the wonderful viewers over the past 13 years,” Bickmore said.
“It’s no secret this show has become a second home to me and I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone that has been involved on- and off-screen.”
Watch The Project at 6:30pm Sunday to Friday on Channel 10 or watch on 10 Play here. Keep an eye on The Project Twitter for regular updates.
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