Peter Helliar quits The Project after resignation of Lisa Wilkinson and Carrie Bickmore
Comedian Peter Helliar has quit The Project after eight years, after the resignation of co-hosts Carrie Bickmore and Lisa Wilkinson.
Helliar, who has filled the comedy seat on Ten’s The Project since 2014, said he wanted to return to his writing and standup work.
“All these things come in threes and it’s time for me to say bye,” he said at the end of the show.
“It’s something that’s been on my mind for some time … People will read into this situation however they want to read into it, but I need to create some space for some projects that I want to work on.
“I feel like there are some new areas that I’m going into hopefully next year that I need to be present for …”
Last month Bickmore, a founding co-host of The Project, announced she would leave the Channel Ten show after 13 years.
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On Sunday the exodus continued when Lisa Wilkinson quit The Project after five years, citing the toll of the “targeted toxicity” of sections of the media she has been subjected to.
“The last six months have not been easy,” Wilkinson said. “And the relentless, targeted toxicity by some sections of the media has taken a toll not just on me but on people I love.”
Helliar said, like Bickmore, he wanted to quit while he still loved the show.
“You said you are glad to be leaving
The Project while you still love it,” he said. “I still love this show. I really do. It means a lot to me. It’s done amazing things for me. I interviewed Luke Skywalker once.”
It now seems likely Ten and The Project producers were keen to refresh The Panel in the new year, although co-hosts Waleed Aly and Hamish Macdonald remain.
The chief content officer of Paramount Australia, Beverley McGarvey, said Helliar had been on Ten for 22 years, dating back to Rove Live in 2000.
“Pete’s talent at 10 has also extended behind the camera as writer, director and star of How To Stay Married which ran for three seasons, plus his comedy shows Skithouse and Cram,” she said.
Bickmore has confirmed she will continue to host the national drive show with Tommy Little on the The Hit Network, Carrie & Tommy, for four years.
Bickmore said quitting The Project was the “hardest decision of my professional life to make … but it’s time for a new challenge”.
“I’m going to miss my best mates on the desk, the job itself which is just so incredibly fulfilling, our wonderful viewers who’ve been on the journey over the last 13 years,” she said last month.