Grimshaw, Wilkinson, Bickmore, Sales departures leave room for new talent to shine

A string of high profile departures will allow TV networks to blood new talent and try to breathe new life into tired line-ups.

The exodus of top women from TV hosting gigs will give networks a chance to freshen up shows and blood new talent.

Amid Tracy Grimshaw finishing up on A Current Affair this week, Carrie Bickmore on The Project next week, came the bombshell that Lisa Wilkinson would be joining them on the sidelines.

Wilkinson’s curious call, effective immediately, added to the string of high profile women on television stepping aside this year.

TV expert Colin Vickery says the double exit of Wilkinson and Bickmore could breathe new life into the show.

“It’s probably the shake up The Project needed to have,’’ he said.

Carrie Bickmore is gone, Waleed Aly has signed on again but Peter Helliar’s commitment to the show remains up in the air.

Lisa Wilkinson quits The Project.

“I think it would be a very good idea for Channel 10 to find hosts that will host the show Monday to Friday, five nights a week. And if they want to do something different on a Sunday then fine. It’s an opportunity for new talent to blossom and the show could benefit from set presenters each night.

“Long-time presenters leaving is unprecedented so it’s a massive reset for some very important programs for the respective networks. It’ll be interesting to see where all these really talented women end up.”

Earlier this year Leigh Sales stepped down as presenter of ABC nightly current affairs flagship 7.30.

Her replacement was Sarah Ferguson but the other three jobs are still up for grabs.

Allison Langdon is the hot tip to replace Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair. Picture: John Appleyard

Chrissie Swan and Georgie Tunny have been touted as possible The Project replacements.

The recent favourite for Grimshaw’s plum gig, which she’s held for 17 years, has emerged as Allison Langdon, the current Today show co-host alongside Karl Stefanovic.

Regular fill-ins Deb Knight and Leila McKinnon have also been touted as it’s thought Nine executives will be looking at a female replacement for Grimshaw who intends to take a lengthy break.

Bickmore is in The Project chair until November 30, with the likes of Georgie Tunny and Chrissie Swan filling in previously.

They have been well received as have Kate Langbroek, who is very close with Bickmore, and Studio 10 host Sarah Harris.

A left-field choice would be someone like Jackie O Henderson, a radio powerhouse currently on a break, but who impressed as a judge on The Masked Singer.

Now with two big vacancies on weeknights and Sundays, Ten may also look outside the network.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford is convinced there’ll be more changes at The Project desk with another key host to vacate their post. It’s believed Waleed Aly has re-signed but it’s unclear where Peter Helliar sits.

What Bickmore and Wilkinson do has yet to be revealed but insiders say it’s very unlikely we’d see the Gold Logie winner Bickmore make the switch to Nine.

It’s believed she will take time off over summer.

Wilkinson may also have a lengthy spell.

Bickmore was gushing in her praise of Wilkinson on social media.

“Congrats Lis on your incredible time. You’ve achieved so much during your brilliant career so far and the show is so lucky to have had you for the past five years.

“You will be sorely missed. It’s not goodbye … just goodbye for now.”

Four big name female hosts stepping down in one year must be a record of sorts, we keenly await what unfolds with the next moves.