Project panel jokes about Hamish Macdonald turfing out Peter van Onselen

On the eve of his return to the Project panel, Hamish Macdonald’s colleagues wasted no time digging the boot in to his predecessor.

The Project panel has addressed the elephant in the room during Sunday night’s episode featuring returning host Hamish Macdonald.

Mcdonald left the Channel 10 news program 18 months ago to host ABC’s Q&A, only to return to his former role after admitting he struggled with internet trolling and little support from his employers.

Sadly for Peter van Onselen, Macdonald’s replacement, he was pushed out the door to make way for the returning journalist — a move jokester Tommy Little wasted no time making light of.

RELATED: ‘Isolated’: Why Hamish left ABC

True to form – Tommy Little waded into the Project panel shake-up. Picture: Channel 10.

Welcoming Macdonald back to his role, Little quipped: “Hamish Macdonald, that makes so much sense. In our meeting today, I was like, damn, PVO is looking hot!”

It wasn’t the only mention of the turfed-out host.

RELATED: Macdonald ‘forced’ to quit Project for ABC role

Macdonald appeared happier than ever to be back on Ten …

… Unfortunately for PVO, it meant his replacement gig was no more.

While discussing Little’s recent Covid-19 vaccination, Macdonald had let his cheeky side fly — a freedom he likely missed while hosting ABC’s flagship political panel.

“Like I say, I always feel better after a good jabbing,” he said to laughs from Lisa Wilkinson, Jan Fran and Little, who responded: “I’m so happy to have you back, bro.”

Macdonald’s colleagues were all smiles on Sunday night.

Macdonald recently expressed his displeasure at the ABC after his stint at the helm of Q&A.

The highly-regarded TV journalist, 40, replaced veteran Tony Jones on the popular program in late 2019, after relinquishing his position as The Sunday Project host.

After accepting the gig to return to The Sunday Project as co-host, Macdonald opened up about the pressures of working for the ABC during a period of hostility for Australians amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I didn’t go into it naively,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I knew there would be added scrutiny. But I do think people would be surprised by the degree to which people who work in roles like that are left alone to navigate the trolling and the abuse that comes with it. It was a surprise to me.

“It was overwhelming at times. It became something I could not manage on my own, and I could not get away from it.”

Macdonald famously quit social media in January after copping extreme social media abuse as a result of being the face of the live audience discussions program.

Macdonald certainly looked at home in his old seat after a difficult time on the ABC.

Sarah Thornton, Head of Popular Factual at Network 10 made it clear the reporter was welcomed back “home” with open arms.

“We have always considered Hamish part of our family here at The Project, and we are thrilled to welcome him home,” Thornton said in a statement, per TV Blackbox.

“Hamish is an outstanding journalist and his skill and passion as a broadcaster make him a valued addition to our hosting line-up on The Project.

“Hamish will also be back on the road, where he is peerless, telling extraordinary stories and connecting with people in Australia and around the globe. As the world and the media landscape change, and as storytelling comes to the fore, never have Hamish’s talents been more important. I’m excited for what the future holds with Hamish back at 10.”

Unfortunately, it left PVO on the outer, amid rumours reported by TV Blackbox of tensions on the panel.

Tensions on the Project panel? Rumour has it Lisa and PVO didn’t always see eye-to-eye.

According to the publication, there are whispers within the industry that PVO and Lisa Wilkinson clashed over the political reporter’s friendship with Christian Porter, the federal minister accused of rape in a historic case. Porter denies the allegations.

Meanwhile, Q+A has been hosted by a rotation of panellists, including Virginia Trioli, with the ABC confirming that will continue going forward.