Carrie’s temporary exit ‘a big loss’ for The Project at the worst possible time

Carrie Bickmore’s temporary exit from The Project will leave the show with a big hole to fill - after what’s already been a difficult few months.

The news that Carrie Bickmore will depart The Project for several months leaves Ten’s flagship panel show with a big hole to fill after what’s been a difficult few months.

Mum-of-three Bickmore is off on a school term-long family trip to the UK next month – telling fans she thought it would be her “last chance” for extended family time before teenage son Ollie flies the nest.

But industry commentators fear Bickmore’s absence could hit The Project, which has been struggling in the ratings, while it’s already down.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford tweeted that Bickmore’s departure would be a “big loss for the show and at a time when they aren’t travelling well”.

Carrie Bickmore will exit The Project for several months for a family trip to the UL.

“It sure is – I do love The Project but Carrie Bickmore and her upbeat personality is an essential,” wrote author and journalist Ros Reines.

Actress Sarah Monahan echoed many fans’ sentiments, tweeting that the show “won’t be the same” without Bickmore.

It comes at a difficult time for The Project, with TV writer Colin Vickery noted last week that the flagship program’s ratings had slid to worrying new lows – including an audience of just 39,000 viewers in Sydney:

The Project did even worse last night than it did a week ago. Just 225,000 viewers metro for the 7pm half-hour. The problem seems to be Sydney (dismal 39,000) which was way behind Melbourne (93,000) and even Adelaide (43,000).

— Colin Vickery (@Colvick) March 12, 2022

Channel 10 issued a defiant statement amid speculation about the show’s future in November last year.

“Recent media reports inferring that The Project will not be on [Channel] 10 in 2022 are completely fabricated, false and misleading,” the statement read.

“The Project has just celebrated its 12th birthday and is here to stay! At a time when information, context and understanding is more important than ever, The Project will continue to provide Australians with their dose of news delivered differently.”

Bickmore told fans she feels this is her “last chance” for an extended holiday with all three of her children.

At the time, Sydney Confidential reported that The Project’s ratings were down 20 per cent year on year, having shed almost 30 per cent of its 2011 audience of 538,000.

Ever-candid panellist Kate Langbroek even referenced the show’s ratings woes during a January segment.

Fellow guest Nazeem Hussain was speaking about his refusal to use office toilets when Langbroek quipped: “Who do you think is listening in? People aren’t even watching this show, mate, let alone watching you on the pooper!”

Project regulars Peter Helliar, Hamish Macdonald, Lisa Wilkinson and Rachel Corbett.

Of course, ratings don’t always tell the full story. The Project doesn’t just report the news, it also regularly makes the news – but that’s thanks in no small part to the ever-popular Bickmore, who is always forthcoming with an emotional reaction or personal anecdote to connect to viewers. It’s that relatability that makes the Gold Logie winner arguably The Project’s best-loved presenter.

And as we’ve all navigated the pandemic in recent years, Carrie’s own personal stories have tugged at viewers’ heartstrings. The Perth-born presenter has made no secret of her desire for more family time, speaking emotionally about the effect border closures have had on her as she wondered if she’d ever see some of her loved ones again.

Even so, last night’s announcement came as a surprise to many – back in January, Bickmore assured fans that she was “ready for another big year of work” after some holiday downtime. Instead, she’ll be away for the desk for at least eight out of this year’s 40 TV ratings weeks - and her absence may yet present a problem for the show that’s made her a household name.