He has become the longest serving host on The Project after co-stars unexpectedly departed the night time show, now Waleed Aly dishes on his relationship with the former cast.
Last year was a difficult time for The Project after a number of high profile stars including Carrie Bickmore, Lisa Wilkinson, Tommy Little and Peter Helliar departed the show all within a few months apart.
While speaking on Stellar Magazine’s podcast, Something To Talk About, the 44-year-old confessed he is missing his previous co-stars.
“I feel their absence,” Waleed said.
“But when you’ve got a new group of people to work with, you almost don’t have time for that, especially not when you’re in the middle of it.”
Although their busy lifestyles of “get in the way” of meeting up with each other, Waleed revealed they “have kept in touch.”
“In fact, [Peter] was over at my place on the weekend,” he said.
Waleed, who has been working with Carrie Bickmore for nearly 13-years and closely beside her after earning a permanent hosting position in 2015, has also hung out with the mother-of-three.
“I’ve caught up with Carrie as well, and I would hope that is the way it always is, because the one thing I can genuinely say about the show is that the relationships aren’t fake,” he said.
Life would be particularly hectic for Carrie – who was the first star to leave in November 2022 to spend more quality time with her family – split from her partner of 11-years, Chris Walker in January 2023.
“It’s with immense sadness that Chris and I have decided to separate,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.
“Whilst this is a tough time, our sole focus is on parenting, loving and supporting our three children Ollie, Evie and Addie with everything we’ve got. They are doing great. We won’t be making any further comment.”