COOKING UP TV COMEBACK!
THEIR NEW PROJECT IS GUARANTEED TO BE A GIANT HIT
The on-screen chemistry shared by Carrie Bickmore and Rove Mcmanus has been undeniable ever since she got her big break working on his eponymous variety show in 2006. And, if these new photos are anything to go by, the former colleagues still share an incredibly close bond!
Carrie, 43, and Rove, 50, were spotted out in Melbourne recently enjoying a casual lunch date together. An onlooker tells New Idea “they spent ages chatting afterwards. They seemed very deep in conversation.”
And it seems more than casual gossip and life updates – with bear hugs and selfies! – was on the lunch menu.
“Rove is working on a few new TV projects, and Carrie would absolutely be on top of his list [to involve],” a TV insider tells New Idea. “He has always known what a talent she is, and the level of public interest in her next move is also appealing.”
Carrie left Rove in 2009 to spearhead The Project – which is produced by his production company Roving Enterprises. She concluded her time on that show in 2022. Since then, there has been chatter that Carrie could name her price to return to the struggling current affairs show, now co-hosted by Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris.
But, our insider says Rove was not trying to lure Carrie back to The Project’s desk during their catch-up.
“He isn’t as involved with that program these days as Network 10 has taken over the day-to-day running of the show,” explains our source.
Instead, they suggest, Rove and Carrie were workshopping ideas for
‘He knows what a talent she is’
an entirely new project for them to create together.
“Carrie’s always had loads of her own ideas,” our source says. “Part of the reason why she left The Project was because she wanted more input in the content.”
After taking time away from in front of the camera, Carrie is “weighing up her options” about her next move. Our source reckons anything involving Rove, who has always championed her talent, would be “very appealing” to Carrie.
Carrie and Rove have always maintained a close friendship, despite their busy schedules. Carrie is a single mum of three following her split from TV producer Chris Walker in early 2023, while Rove shares a 10-year-old daughter with wife Tasma Walton.
“Carrie always seeks advice from Rove because she trusts him,” our insider explains. “They are both busy people and don’t catch up as much as they’d like to – but they both agree that, if a big deal is in the works, it’s better discussed in person.”