Lisa Wilkinson may have dropped a clue about joining ‘The Project’ weeks ago

LISA Wilkinson’s sudden exit from Today was a shock to everyone — but she may have actually dropped a hint about it weeks ago.

LISA Wilkinson’s shock resignation from the Today show after 10 years behind the desk has left both viewers and colleagues reeling in shock.

In an extraordinary move, the popular host announced on Monday night she had already had her last day on Nine’s breakfast show, adding shortly afterwards that she’d be joining Channel Ten’s The Project.

But did the veteran Nine host drop a clue about her upcoming defection to Ten weeks ago?

In September, Wilkinson made a guest appearance on The Project and may have hinted that she was already in talks with the rival network.

As a former women’s magazine editor, the popular presenter was weighing in on the massive $4.56 million defamation settlement Bauer Media had been ordered to pay Rebel Wilson in September.

After Project host Peter Helliar asked what Today host Karl Stefanovic thought of the payout, Wilkinson revealed they hadn’t discussed it, causing the panel to speculate that there was tension between the pair.

“No no, that’s only because he’s hosting A Current Affair tonight,” she joked. “So we are having network wars right now ... I’ve gone for Channel Ten.”

It may have been a passing joke at the time — but the words could now be considered a prophecy.

Just one month later, Wilkinson has announced she is defecting to Ten’s popular evening program.

The host — who had been in the job for a decade — broke the news of her departure in a statement on Twitter on Monday night, telling viewers she wouldn’t be returning to the Channel Nine breakfast show.

“I have some news, I’m sad to say that today was my last day on the Today show,” she wrote.

In a statement confirming her departure, Nine thanked Wilkinson for her years on the show.

“Nine today confirmed we have been unable to meet the expectations of Lisa Wilkinson and her manager on a contract renewal for a further period,” the statement read.

“We express our gratitude for Lisa for her 10 years with the Today Show and are disappointed we find ourselves in this position.”

In a statement released less than an hour later, Ten confirmed Wilkinson would be joining the network in a “senior hosting and editorial role effective January 2018”.