She’s the Gold Logie winner who has been the face of The Project since its debut on Network Ten in 2009.
And despite both women denying any issues, there are rumours Carrie Bickmore may be getting ready to leave the panel over ‘tensions’ with new hire Lisa Wilkinson.
New Idea reported on Monday that the show’s producers are now having to handle Carrie with ‘kid gloves’ over fears she will jump ship.
Unconfirmed reports: Despite both women denying any issues, there are rumours Carrie Bickmore may be getting ready to leave The Project over ‘tensions’ with Lisa Wilkinson
‘They are having to handle Carrie with kid gloves as they don’t want the worst outcome – i.e that she spits the dummy and walks,’ an unnamed source told the publication.
New Idea claimed that rising ratings since the former Today host’s addition to the Sunday night panel – as well as Lisa’s high-profile interviews with Celine Dion and Jacqui Lambie – had ruffled Carrie’s feathers.
‘Lisa’s jaunt to Vegas to interview Celine Dion hasn’t gone down well with Carrie,’ the source went on to allege.
Claims: ‘They are having to handle Carrie with kid gloves as they don’t want the worst outcome – i.e that she spits the dummy and walks,’ a source told New Idea. Pictured: Lisa Wilkinson
They added: ‘These high-profile interviews like Lambie are p***ing Carrie off.’
Lisa has proved to be a ratings boon for The Project, with News.com.au reporting that her debut in January brought 200,000 more metropolitan viewers to the show.
It was also suggested by New Idea’s anonymous source that Lisa and Carrie are putting up a front – especially on social media, where they often post pictures together.
Front: It was also suggested by New Idea’s anonymous source that Lisa and Carrie are putting up a front – especially on social media, where they often post pictures together
‘While it’s all lovey dovey on social media, it is a different story behind closed doors at Ten,’ the insider suggested.
‘Aside from a few times sitting on the panel together, they pass like ships in the night.’
A spokesperson for Network Ten rubbished the publication’s claims, saying New Idea ‘wasn’t interested in the truth.’
‘The article in New Idea is a complete fabrication and could not be further from the truth,’the spokesperson said. ‘New Idea, which is of course owned by Channel Seven, did not bother checking any of its claims with Network Ten, Carrie, Lisa or anyone who works on The Project.’
They continued: ‘The truth is that these two highly talented, strong and professional women enjoy working together, and support each other. Clearly New Idea is not interested in the truth.’
‘I couldn’t be more excited’: In contrast to New Idea’s claims, Carrie was full of praise for her co-star when speaking to Who last week, saying Lisa was the shot in the arm the show needed
In contrast to New Idea’s claims, Carrie was full of praise for her co-star when speaking to Who last week, saying Lisa was the shot in the arm the show needed.
‘I couldn’t be more excited to be working with her. We text, we call and we’re going to make a great team,’ she said.
Lisa has also previously dismissed reports of a feud with Carrie, telling News Corp: ‘I couldn’t believe (there were rumours) because this is complete fiction. Carrie can’t believe it, I can’t believe it.’
At the close of 2017, Lisa had secured a reported $2.3million salary to front The Sunday Project and Network Ten’s new website Ten Daily.
The former magazine editor had previously left Channel Nine after her employers had reportedly refused to pay her the same as her Today co-host Karl Stefanovic.
New role: At the close of 2017, Lisa had secured a reported $2.3million salary to front The Sunday Project and Network Ten’s new website Ten Daily, following her departure from Nine