Australia was left reeling following the news that Lisa Wilkinson, long time host of the Today Show, leaving Nine and moving to channel Ten.
If it was a surprise for us, it seems it was something of a whirlwind for co-hosts Karl Stefanovic and Deb Knight who were compelled to address the news this morning, calling it “a bit of a shock”.
For now Weekend Today host Deb Knight has been invited in as a last-minute replacement.
As shocked as he may be, Karl Stefanovic did not let the news phase him.
“It’s a very big day for us on the show, and a very big day for Lisa Wilkinson — and we’ll have plenty more to say about that later in the program,” he said as the program began this morning.
“As we always do, we will get on with the news of the day.”
Ever the professional, that Karl.
Lisa hosted the Today show for ten years.
We didn’t have to wait long to hear more from the hosts, Lisa Wilkinson’s departure is the leading headline around Australia, no doubt making things a little awkward.
“It came as a bit of a shock to us,” said Karl in what is no doubt that understatement of the century.
Long-time Today Show host Lisa Wilkinson has announced last night on Twitter that she is leaving the show after a decade and going to Ten. Monday was her last day on the breakfast program.
Lisa will be joining news and current-affairs program The Project as co-host alongside Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar. She will also be hosting The Sunday Project.
The 57-year-old announced the news on Twitter earlier tonight, writing: “I have some news. I’m sad to say that today was my last day on The today show. The following statement is from Channel Nine..”
According to the statement, Channel Nine could not reach an agreement with Lisa to extend her contract for her hosting duties on the breakfast program. Over the weekend, The Sunday Telegraph reported that Lisa was waiting for equal pay to her co-host Karl Stefanovic to re-sign a new contract.
