Is Lisa Wilkinson replacing Waleed Aly or Carrie Bickmore?

It was the news that sent shock waves through the Australian media industry on Monday.

And as news of Lisa Wilkinson’s abrupt departure from Channel Nine’s Today show continues to set tongues wagging, many have been left asking questions about her new role at rival Network Channel Ten.

Shortly after announcing that she is leaving Nine’s breakfast TV program after more than a decade, the 57-year-old veteran journalist was revealed as a new co-host of The Project.

Will Lisa replace Waleed Aly or Carrie Bickmore? As news of Lisa Wilkinson’s abrupt departure from Channel Nine’s Today show continues to set tongues wagging, many have been left wondering about her new role at rival Network Channel Ten

Lisa will join the likes of hosts Waleed Aly, Carrie Bickmore and Peter Helliar on the popular current affairs show in January 2018.

While fans are wondering whether Lisa might ‘replace’ one of the current hosts, a spokesperson at Channel Ten told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that this is not the case.

‘Lisa will join the hosting team of The Project. Her role at Ten will include hosting The Sunday Project,’ a statement read.

From Channel Nine to rival Network Ten: Lisa will join the likes of hosts Waleed Aly, Carrie Bickmore and Peter Helliar on the popular current affairs show in January 2018

From Channel Nine to rival Network Ten: Lisa will join the likes of hosts Waleed Aly, Carrie Bickmore and Peter Helliar on the popular current affairs show in January 2018

New gig: While fans are wondering whether Lisa might 'replace' one of the current hosts, a spokesperson at Channel Ten told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that this is not the case

New gig: While fans are wondering whether Lisa might ‘replace’ one of the current hosts, a spokesperson at Channel Ten told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that this is not the case

‘She is NOT replacing Carrie, Waleed or Pete. To suggest she is would be total nonsense.

The statement continued: ‘Further collaborations between Ten and Lisa will be announced in the coming months.’

While exact details about the capacity of Lisa’s role remain under wraps, it is understood she will co-host the weekly edition and host the Sunday show.

False: 'She is NOT replacing Carrie, Waleed or Pete. To suggest she is would be total nonsense,' a Ten spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia 

False: ‘She is NOT replacing Carrie, Waleed or Pete. To suggest she is would be total nonsense,’ a Ten spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia 

Some fans have begun speculating whether the TV personality could potentially replace longtime host Waleed or Carrie.

‘Is Lisa replacing Waleed or Carrie as “senior host”?’ one fan speculated on Twitter.

‘So, how does it work? Carrie and Lisa? Lisa and Waleed? Lisa and Carrie and Waleed? Lisa on Sunday? Waleed on Sunday?’ one puzzled fan asked.

Another fan bluntly tweeted: ‘OMG, PLEASE tell me she’s replacing Carrie or Waleed! I can’t stand them.’

In June, reports claimed Carrie, 36, was considering quitting The project to focus on a career in radio however she remains a co-host on The Project.

Lisa announced her departure from Channel Nine’s Today after contract negotiations reportedly broke down.

Network Ten swiftly revealed their latest acquisition only moments after Lisa announced on Monday night she would be leaving the Today show. 

Network Ten chief content officer Beverley McGarvey expressed their pride in signing Ms Wilkinson, whose reputation with the Australian public ‘is second to none’, she said.

Network Ten swiftly revealed their latest acquisition only minutes after Lisa, 57, (pictured with Karl Stefanovic) announced on Monday night she would be leaving the Today show.

Network Ten swiftly revealed their latest acquisition only minutes after Lisa, 57, (pictured with Karl Stefanovic) announced on Monday night she would be leaving the Today show.

‘Lisa Wilkinson is one of the most respected journalists and television presenters in Australia and we are thrilled that she has agreed to join Network Ten’s fantastic stable of on-air talent,’ Ms McGarvey said. 

‘Lisa has established her credentials as a leading figure in the Australian media industry. 

‘She has a great connection to the Australian public and a reputation that is second to none.’ 

Ms Wilkinson will join The Project hosts Carrie Bickmore (right), Waleed Aly (left) and Peter Helliar from January 2018

Ms Wilkinson will join The Project hosts Carrie Bickmore (right), Waleed Aly (left) and Peter Helliar from January 2018

An official statement from the Nine Network said it was ‘unable to meet the expectations’ of Ms Wilkinson, after it was alleged she demanded equal pay with co-host Karl Stefanovic. 

Lisa made the announcement via Twitter on Monday night, revealing her decade of service on the Today show had come to an abrupt end.  

‘I have some sad news. I’m sad to say that today was my last day on the Today show,’ she wrote. 

The mother-of-three also revealed she was ‘absolutely thrilled’ to be jumping ship to rivals Network Ten.

She is now set to become the highest paid woman on Australian television following the shock defection, The Daily Telegraph reported. 

The mother-of-three revealed she was 'absolutely thrilled' to be jumping ship to rivals Network Ten

The mother-of-three revealed she was ‘absolutely thrilled’ to be jumping ship to rivals Network Ten

Network Ten chief content officer Beverley McGarvey expressed pride in signing Ms Wilkinson in a statement posted online on Monday night 

Network Ten chief content officer Beverley McGarvey expressed their pride in signing Ms Wilkinson in a statement posted online on Monday night 

A stream of tweets from fellow journalists followed the announcement on Monday night.

ABC Breakfast host Michael Rowland called Lisa ‘a class act’ in a touching sentiment posted to Twitter.

‘You’ll succeed in whatever comes next. Meanwhile, enjoy cancelling the 3am alarm!’ he wrote. 

Meanwhile, ABC’s 7.30 host Leigh Sales also took to social media to praise the former Today host.

She is now set to become the highest paid woman on Australian television following the shock defection, The Daily Telegraph reported 

She is now set to become the highest paid woman on Australian television following the shock defection, The Daily Telegraph reported 

Lisa made the announcement via Twitter on Monday night, revealing her decade of service on the Today show had come to an abrupt end

Lisa made the announcement via Twitter on Monday night, revealing her decade of service on the Today show had come to an abrupt end

‘@Lisa_Wilkinson has been a steady, consistent, highly competent, warm and delightful presence on @TheTodayShow — huge loss for them,’ she tweeted. 

Media personality Sally Obermeder gushed over Lisa on Instagram.

‘You are a class act through and through. Congratulations on all that you have achieved. You should be so proud,’ she wrote.  

A stream of tweets from fellow journalists, including Ben Fordham, followed the announcement on Monday night

A stream of tweets from fellow journalists, including Ben Fordham, followed the announcement on Monday night

ABC Breakfast host Michael Rowland called Ms Wilkinson 'a class act' in a touching sentiment posted to Twitter

ABC Breakfast host Michael Rowland called Ms Wilkinson ‘a class act’ in a touching sentiment posted to Twitter

Meanwhile, ABC's 7.30 host Leigh Sales also took to social media to praise the former Today host

Meanwhile, ABC’s 7.30 host Leigh Sales also took to social media to praise the former Today host

'You are a class act through and through': Media personality Sally Obermeder gushed over Ms Wilkinson in one of her recent Instagram posts after the news broke 

‘You are a class act through and through’: Media personality Sally Obermeder gushed over Ms Wilkinson in one of her recent Instagram posts after the news broke 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk