The Project stars pay tribute to Lisa Wilkinson after shock exit

The Project's Carrie Bickmore and Waleed Aly spoke of Lisa Wilkinson's "enormous contribution" to the show on Monday night, one day after her shock exit.

Speaking of their co-host, Waleed said, "You will, of course, have heard the news that our friend and colleague Lisa Wilkinson will be moving on from the show, she announced that last night. Unfortunately, such is the size of the desk, not everyone could be there for the moment when she got to tell you [the viewers] what was going on, and so we thought we'd take this moment just to acknowledge her enormous contribution to the show and all of the work that she's done."

Carrie added, "She's done some incredible stories and interviews over five years now, and she'll be sorely missed, she's such a pro, such a gorgeous person to sit with - to watch the master in action."

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"I’ve known her 22 years, I worked out the other day," Steve Price also added. "Done a lot of TV with her and she’s always very giving in her spirit towards you."

"I was a fan before I met Lisa, and to work alongside her and see her up close do her thing has been amazing," Peter Helliar also shared. "But the fact that I can call her now a friend and a mate is just as important to that. So, we love you."

Lisa announces exit from The Project

Lisa, who had been co-hosting the show for five years, announced she was leaving The Project on Sunday night, sharing, "I have decided it's time to reprioritise a few things in my life."

"So, from tonight, I am stepping back from hosting the show."

The host revealed that she wouldn't be leaving Channel Ten, and will be looking at some other opportunities within the network.

"The last six months have not been easy, and the relentless targeted toxicity in the media has taken a toll. Not just on me, but on people I love," she admitted, referencing the backlash she received following her infamous Logies acceptance speech for Most Outstanding News Coverage or Public Affairs Report for her 2021 interview with Brittany Higgins.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford hinted Lisa's exit was just the beginning of a series of "shock resignations" to come.

"There will be more ‘shock resignations’ in the next two weeks How coincidental so many people all decide at same time they ‘need a change’," he tweeted on Sunday night.

Peter added, "Only Lisa could manage to announce ‘her decision’ & make herself a victim at the same time. All the hard work she’s put in etc etc for 4 nights a week and 20 grand a week. That poor lady!"

The journalist made the prediction last month that Lisa would leave after Carrie announced her departure, he wrote at the time, "It’s an odd show. I’m tipping Lisa won’t be there next year so it’s quite a seismic shift."

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Speaking of Carrie, Peter added, "They’ve lost their biggest asset. Nobody is indispensable but there are some people easier to lose than others."

Lisa joined The Project in 2017, after being axed from Nine's Today Show, which she hosted for ten years alongside Karl Stefanovic.

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