The Project’s Peter Helliar reveals Covid-19 diagnosis

Peter Helliar has tested positive for Covid-19, with The Project host praising the “brilliant” vaccine for saving him from serious illness.

Peter Helliar has tested positive for Covid-19, with the TV personality revealing his diagnosis on social media.

The Project host revealed why he had been absent from the show this week in an Instagram post on Friday night.

Sharing a photo of himself giving the thumbs up, Helliar praised the “brilliant” Covid-19 vaccine for saving him from serious illness.

“So I was sick of friends saying they didn’t know anyone with Covid. So I went and got Covid (not deliberately of course),” he wrote.

Helliar said he was now nearing the end of his quarantine person and feels “absolutely fine”.

“The worst it got was a mild cold,” he said.

“Not because the virus didn’t have bad intentions but because science is brilliant and being fully immunised meant I had a whole bunch of vaxxy goodness protecting me.

“My family are safe and I am grateful.”

He revealed he will be back on The Project next week before praising our hardworking Australian healthcare workers.

“Thank you science. I think I got a crush on you,” he said.

“Also to all the health workers and services. Luckily I didn’t need to go to hospital but everyone I spoke to on the phone were completely compassionate, professional, caring & incredibly patient.

“The system is undoubtedly under a great deal of stress but they are doing a wonderful job.”

Helliar’s post attracted hundreds of comments, many of them from other Aussie TV personalities.

His co-star Lisa Wilkinson said “glad to hear you’re OK” before also praising healthcare workers for “all they have done over the last two years…and beyond”.

Actor Kat Stewy said she was also happy to hear Helliar was all right.

Rove McManus couldn’t resist a cheeky comment, writing: “So what do you get the guy who has everything …?”

The Project even commented, reminding Helliar to bring in his medical certificate.

“See you next week! Don’t forget to bring your Medical Certificate in with you,” the comment read.

Helliar has been an outspoken advocate for the Covid-19 vaccine, getting his first dose back in June, and has also voiced his support for companies requiring staff be vaccinated.

Carrie Bickmore and Peter Helliar went together to get their first vaccine dose in June.

He debated the issue on The Project back in August, after Waleed Aly revealed he was “not comfortable” with the idea that employers should be the ones to decide who needs to be vaccinated, saying it should be a government decision.

Helliar disagreed, saying business owners, particularly those in hospitality, should be able to decide if they want the people working for them to be vaccinated.

“It should be government, but there should be some sectors that I think need to be vaccinated,” Helliar said.

“Hospitality is one. If I owned a cafe, I’d want all my staff vaccinated because they have been through a bit.”

Co-host Carrie Bickmore agreed, saying vaccine mandates for some workers may be what is needed to encourage more Aussies to get the jab.

“Perhaps when it comes to employment and you realise it’s going to effect your job, that might be a different motivation the same way it is motivating people that are in lockdown and want to get out of lockdown,” she said.