The Project: Two new hosts announced following major shake-up

Amid the biggest shake-up in its 13-year history, two new recruits have been announced to join the new-look Project panel in 2023.

Two more hosts have been unveiled to join The Project desk in 2023 amid a major overhaul of the current affairs program.

The Herald Sun has revealed that comedians Sam Taunton and Michael Hing are the final recruits for the new-look panel, which also features Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Hamish Macdonald and Georgie Tunny.

The announcement follows the departure of original host Carrie Bickmore, along with Peter Helliar and Lisa Wilkinson.

Helliar and Bickmore won’t be returning in 2023.

Taunton, who has previously appeared as a guest contributor on The Project, will take on Monday to Thursday nights while Triple J Drive host and podcaster Hing will join Macdonald and Tunny on Friday and Sunday.

Sam Taunton. Picture: Adelaide Fringe

Michael Hing. Picture: SBS

2023 looks good on #TheProjectTV with our incredible lineup of @SarahHarris, Waleed Aly, @samtaunton, @hingers, Hamish Macdonald & @georgie_tunny ready to entertain you!

Join the conversation, Sunday - Friday, from 6:30 PM on 10! pic.twitter.com/XNKQbo2JUt

— The Project (@theprojecttv) December 17, 2022

The latest host announcement comes just weeks after it was revealed that Studio 10 presenter Sarah Harris would replace Bickmore, who farewelled the show after 13 years recently.

“This is one of the biggest and best jobs in TV. How could I say no?” Harris said in a statement released by Ten.

“I’m beyond excited to be joining one of Australia’s most iconic and agenda driving shows. The Project does news like no other program in Australia and it’s exactly the kind of fun and fearless TV I love to make.

“I can’t wait to share the desk with Waleed, Hamish, Georgie and the rest of the team. I’m excited to shake it up in the new year!”

Project hosts Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris. Source: Network 10

Meanwhile, Wilkinson stunned viewers last month when she announced she was leaving The Project, effective immediately. She revealed live on air that she’d decided it was “time to reprioritise a few things”, citing a “relentless, targeted toxicity” over the past six months as her reason for stepping down.

The very next night, Helliar said he was stepping away to focus on other professional commitments.

“It’s been something on my mind for a while, people will read into the situation however they want to read into it but I feel like I need to create some space for some projects that I want to work on,” he said.

The new-look Project will return on Sunday, January 8.