Lisa Wilkinson announces departure from the Today show 

Lisa Wilkinson took on a presenting role with Channel Nine’s the Today show in 2007.

And the former magazine editor announced her shock departure from the breakfast program, to Twitter on Monday.

An official statement from the network said it was ‘unable to meet her expectations’ after reports the 57-year-old was demanding equal pay with co-host Karl Stefanovic. 

BREAKING NEWS: Lisa Wilkinson, 57, announced her shock departure from Channel Nine’s the Today show, via Twitter on Monday, after it was alleged co-host Karl Stefanovic, 43, earns ‘twice as much as her’

Lisa made the announcement to Twitter on Monday: ‘I have some sad news. I’m sad to say that today was my last day on the Today show.’

The veteran journalist, married to author Peter FitzSimons, posted an official statement from Channel Nine, that read: ‘Today Show are disappointed we find ourselves in this position.

‘Nine will be going in another direction and will be considering our options in the coming weeks and months.

Parting words: Lisa shared an official statement from both the network and herself to Twitter

Parting words: Lisa shared an official statement from both the network and herself to Twitter

Parting words: Lisa thanked her colleagues and the network in an official statement that read: 'I would particularly like to acknowledge my colleagues Karl, Sylvia, Georgie, Tim, Richard, Stevie and Natalia, as well as all the hard-working producers and the entire team behind the cameras'

Parting words: Lisa thanked her colleagues and the network in an official statement that read: ‘I would particularly like to acknowledge my colleagues Karl, Sylvia, Georgie, Tim, Richard, Stevie and Natalia, as well as all the hard-working producers and the entire team behind the cameras’

‘Today Show is one of the biggest roles there is in television and requires an enormous commitments from its hosts. 

‘The partnership between Lisa and Karl has taken the show to the success it is today and we thank Lisa for everything she has done for the show and for Nine over the past 10 years. 

‘We all wish her well for the future,’ the statement on behalf of Nine CEO Hugh Marks concluded.

Lisa also thanked her colleagues and the network in an official statement that read: ‘I want to thank Channel Nine for the privilege of co-hosting the Today Show for the last ten years.

‘I would particularly like to acknowledge my colleagues Karl, Sylvia, Georgie, Tim, Richard, Stevie and Natalia, as well as all the hard-working producers and the entire team behind the cameras.’ 

The announcement comes just a day after an explosive report claimed that Lisa’s contract negotiations with Nine had been ‘stalled.’ 

The Sunday Telegraph claimed that Lisa was holding out on re-signing until she was granted ‘pay parity’ with co-host Karl Stefanovic, 43.

 

 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk