Peter Helliar joins Project exodus

Comedian Peter Helliar has ­announced he will be the third panellist to leave Network Ten’s flagship current affairs program The Project.

Peter Helliar. Picture: Channel 10

Comedian Peter Helliar has ­announced he will be the third panellist to leave Network Ten’s flagship current affairs program The Project, two days after Lisa Wilkinson declared she was quitting the show.

Helliar told viewers on-air on Tuesday night that he would be stepping away from the show, saying the decision had been “on his mind for a while”.

“These things come in threes and it’s time for me to say goodbye … I will be leaving The Project soon … on Wednesday,” he said.

The move would free him up to focus on other projects, Helliar said.

“People will read the situation however they want to read into it but I feel like I need to create space for some projects I want to work on. I’ve been able to juggle over the years, you guys have seen me do How to Stay Married and stand up (comedy) and books over the years but I feel like there’s some new areas I’m going into hopefully next year that I need to be present for.

“I want to be somebody, a creator who is leaving meetings to juggle other meetings so I need to be present for that.”

It comes after co-host Carrie Bickmore announced earlier this year she would leave the show next Wednesday.

Helliar addressed Bickmore on air, saying she had helped him “solidify” his decision to leave The Project.

“You said you are glad you’re leaving The Project while you still love it and I still love this show, I really do,” he said.

“It means a lot to me, it’s done amazing things for me, I look forward to seeing what the show is in the future.

“I’ll be here celebrating (Bickmore’s) amazing achievements on the show next week and then we’ll bring it home for one more week. I’ll be with you Waleed.”

Channel 10 boss Beverley McGarvey said Helliar would remain part of the network after 22 years of involvement in its programming.

“Pete has made the decision to take more time to dedicate to his first loves – writing and stand-up – and we look forward to our continuing relationship,” Ms McGarvey said.

Helliar began as a regular panellist on the show in 2014.