Following the shock departures of Carrie Bickmore, Lisa Wilkinson and Peter Helliar, Ten has finally unveiled the new “re-energised” line-up for its embattled news show The Project.
After months of speculation, Sarah Harris will be joining the panel alongside mainstay Waleed Aly from Sunday to Thursday in 2023.
“I’m beyond excited to be joining one of Australia’s most iconic and agenda driving shows,” Sarah, 41, revealed last week. “I’m excited to shake it up in the new year!”
Reports have claimed the new Project panel may look something like this
(Network 10)
Confirmed! Sarah Harris has already been confirmed as Carrie Bickmore’s replacement in the news chair, with Waleed Aly one of the few returning hosts from the 2022 lineup
(Image: Ten).jpg?resize=380%2C285)
Stepping into their place on Fridays will be Georgie Tunny, while Hamish Macdonald will continue as a roving reporter.
Woman’s Day hears whispers original host Charlie Pickering, who led the show in its heyday before jumping ship to ABC in 2014, may also be making a return to the panel after announcing he’ll be returning to Ten in 2023.
What this now means for the station’s struggling morning program, Studio 10, remains to be seen – with Sarah thought to be moving to Melbourne for work.
Next woman up? Abbie Chatfield is among the rumoured new hosts, with insiders claiming the network wants to turn to youth
(Image: Ten)Speculation is rife that the morning show – which has also seen multiple line-up changes since its premiere in 2013 – could be headed for the chopping block, while a rotation of familiar faces such as Beau Ryan, Matty J and co-host Tristan MacManus’ wife Tahyna Tozzi, expected to fill out the couch alongside Angela Bishop and Narelda Jacobs until a decision is made.
LOOKING TO YOUTH
With Sarah and Waleed, 44, aiming to steer The Project ship in a new direction next year, there are rumours are circulating that Ten executives are hoping to land some of the best young talent in the country to fill the other chairs.
A TV insider tells Woman’s Day that The Bachelor star-turned-radio host Abbie Chatfield, 27, ABC sports presenter Tony Armstrong, 33, and podcast megastar Laura Byrne, 36, are at the top of their wishlist in a bid to attract younger viewers.
“They’re hoping to get some fresh faces on the panel,” says our source, adding that they’re going for the “biggest noisemakers” around to get the show back to its headline-grabbing days.
However, don’t expect The Project to get overly youthful, with old favourites like Steve Price, 67, expected to return to add extra “spiciness” to the show.
