Peter Helliar joins Lisa Wilkinson, Carrie Bickmore in exodus from Channel 10’s The Project

Another day, another panel member announces on-air they’re leaving The Project. Peter Helliar has followed Lisa Wilkinson and Carrie Bickmore out the door.

The musical chairs of The Project have continued with news Pete Helliar is leaving his post.

The popular comedian announced his departure from the Channel 10 news and current affairs show on Tuesday night, just two days after Lisa Wilkinson revealed she had finished up with the Channel 10 flagship.

Carrie Bickmore also earlier this year announced her plans to leave the show and will film her final episode on November 30.

Helliar confirmed he would finish up the following week.

“These things come in threes and it’s time for me to say goodbye, I will be leaving The Project soon,” Helliar said on-air.

Helliar announced his departure at the end of Tuesday night’s show.

“This has been something on my mind for a while, people will read the situation however they want to read into it but I feel like I need to create space for some projects I want to work on.

“I’ve been able to juggle over the years, you guys have seen me do ‘How to Stay Married’ and stand up and books over the years but I feel like there’s some new areas I’m going into hopefully next year that I need to be present for.

“I want to be somebody, a creator who is leaving meetings to juggle other meetings so I need to be present for that.”

Helliar revealed that soon-to-be-departed co-host Carrie Bickmore had helped him “solidify” his decision to call time on The Project.

“You said you are glad you’re leaving The Project while you still love it and I still love this show, I really do,” he said, addressing Bickmore.

Helliar went on: “It means a lot to me, it’s done amazing things for me, I look forward to seeing what the show is in the future.”

Waleed Aly, Carrie Bickmore, Lisa Wilkinson and Pete Helliar. Only Aly remains on The Project. Picture: Channel 10

“I’ll be here celebrating (Bickmore’s) amazing achievements on the show next week and then we’ll bring it home for one more week. I’ll be with you Waleed.”.

Cheekily, jokster Helliar added: “There’s things I want to do, I need to put more effort into my OnlyFans account.”

Helliar has been a regular co-host on The Project panel since 2014, when he took over from Dave Hughes.

The 47-year-old was nominated for the Gold Logie in 2017.

Addressing the exodus, Bickmore called the announcement a “huge day”.

“The three of us have worked together for a long time and it’s going to be a very sad next few weeks because we’ve been doing it together for a while now,” she said.

Of Helliar, she said: “I’ve worked with you for I think it’s nearly 17 years now, but I’m blessed to call you one of my great mates and this is not goodbye... but you know, the desk will miss you, our viewers will miss you- not just your humour but your amazing interviews over the years.”

“Your ability to go from having an opinion and having heart and empathy to throwing to a funny clip is just extraordinary and there’s so many sides to you that I think we’ve got to see on this show that we haven’t seen before.”

Lisa Wilkinson and Peter Helliar on The Project discussing the Daily Mail story about the host eating alone. Picture: Channel 10.

Bickmore finished up her monologue with “You know what I think, you’re amazing but you give me very, very sore ears.”

Last remaining co-host Aly Waleed told Helliar he had “learnt so much” from him.

“I’ve never seen anyone in that situation so at peace with what they’re doing, it’s extraordinary to watch. Congratulations,” he said.

An announcement on replacements for Bickmore and Wilkinson is expected over the coming days.

The new co-host, or co-hosts, will join Waleed Aly on the panel in 2023 with a replacement for Helliar to come. Helliar will remain on air until December 7.

Wilkinson finished her The Project duties after making her announcement on Sunday, but will return to Ten in 2023 in other roles.

Ten boss Beverley McGarvey said: “It is incredible to think Peter Helliar has been part of the 10 family for 22 years. Of course, we all remember Pete delivering his comedic brilliance on Rove Live back in 2000, but also his role on the much-loved AFL show, Before The Game where his alter ego Strauchanie was born.

Pete Helliar and Carrie Bickmore with ex ‘Rove Live’ co-star Rove McManus. Picture: Supplied/Ten

“Pete’s talent at 10 has also extended behind the camera as writer, director and star of How To Stay Married which ran for three seasons, plus his comedy shows Skithouse and Cram.

“One of the most loved and respected comedians in the country, Pete joined The Project in 2014 filling the comedy seat, a seat which he has held for the past eight years. Given the breadth of his work, it is amazing that we have been lucky enough to have him sit at The Project desk four days a week.

“Pete has made the decision to take more time to dedicate to his first loves – writing and stand-up – and we look forward to our continuing relationship.”

Lisa Wilkinson announces her resignation from The Project on Sunday night. Picture Supplied

The Project launched to market in 2009, providing an alternative to the traditional news formats with the panel-style show.

It has proved popular with younger audiences and is the youngest skewing news and current affairs show on Aussie television.

OzTAM figures show some 49 per cent of The Project’s audience is under 50, compared to about half that for the traditional news shows on rival networks.

‘INCREDIBLE TEAM’

Announcing her exit on Sunday night, Wilkinson paid tribute to the team that brings the show together.

“Sitting at this desk and working with this incredible team both in front of and behind the camera has been an absolute privilege. These people are genuinely some of the most talented and decent humans I know and you, our passionate engaged audience, have been so kind in making me feel so welcome in your homes,” she said.

She reiterated she was not leaving Channel 10, but said the past sic months had “not been easy”.

Earlier this year, Wilkinson faced backlash when in her Logies acceptance speech she referenced the Brittany Higgins rape case.

“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. Don’t get me wrong, I am not above criticism, far from it, I am human and I don’t always get it right, none of us do, but by god I have tried,” she said.

CARRIE’S SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT

It came six weeks after a tearful Bickmore called time on her time at the show after a 13-year tenure as host.

Carrie Bickmore called time on the show six weeks ago. Picture: Instagram/ Supplied

“After 13 years at The Project, I have made the tough decision to finish up hosting the show at the end of the year. It‘s been the hardest decision of my professional life to make this call, but it’s time for a new challenge and my next chapter,” she said.

“There’s so much I’m gonna miss, I’m gonna miss my best mates on the desk, the job itself, which is so incredibly fulfilling. The wonderful viewers over the last 13 years.

“It’s no secret that 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.”

She had joined the show for its launch in 2009, and went on to win a Gold Logie in 2015.

This week, Bickmore confirmed she may be leaving screens, but will be sticking with radio, after inking a new four-year deal with the Hit Network alongside Tommy Little on national Drive show, Carrie & Tommy.

Originally published as Peter Helliar joins Lisa Wilkinson, Carrie Bickmore in exodus from Channel 10’s The Project