The TV journalist spent 10 years as the co-host of the Today show, before resigning from Nine amid failed contract negotiations and jumping ship to Channel Ten.
But despite Lisa Wilkinson’s extensive on-air experience, reports claim she is nervous about her highly-anticipated debut on The Project this Sunday.
A source revealed to New Idea on Monday: ‘She knows all of Australia will be watching her, waiting for any slip-up.’
‘She knows all of Australia will be watching her, waiting for any slip-up’: Former Today show host Lisa Wilkinson is ‘incredibly nervous’ ahead of her debut on The Project this Sunday
The 58-year-old told TV Week last month the move to Channel 10 was a ‘no-brainer’, and was hopeful it advance her news and current affairs coverage.
Meanwhile, an insider told New Idea this week: ‘Lisa is incredibly nervous about her new role on The Project.’
‘This is a really important turning point in Lisa’s career and she just wants it all to go well… she knows all eyes will be on ratings, her banter with Carrie and any argument she makes – of course she’s feeling nervous right now!’ they added.
‘She knows all eyes will be on ratings, her banter with Carrie and any argument she makes’: A source told New Idea that Lisa was nervous for how audiences will react to her arrival
Lisa has already starred in a variety of comedic promotional videos and commercials for the show, which pokes fun at the media hype surrounding her arrival.
Lisa recently returned from a New York holiday with husband Peter FitzSimons prior to her starting her new role on The Project panel.
‘Lisa really wants this new gig to go well and is really feeling the pressure. It’s one of the reasons her hubby Peter whisked her off to New York for a trip before her start on TV – to try and get her mind off things, get her to relax a little before she hits the TV screens again,’ the source said.
Daily Mail Australia have reached out to Lisa Wilkinson for comment.
‘Her hubby Peter whisked her off to New York for a trip before her start on TV – to try and get her mind off things, get her to relax a little before she hits the TV screens again’: Lisa recently returned from a New York holiday with husband Peter FitzSimons prior to debut on The Project panel
Last month, Lisa spoke about feeling humbled by the overwhelmingly positive response from the public to her departure from Today.
‘It’s a response I never could have predicted,’ she told News Corp.
‘I am so grateful to everyone who has taken the time to send messages, stop me in the street and generally make their feelings on the issue widely known.’
Done! The veteran magazine editor and journalist abruptly left the Nine network in October, after 10 years on the show, after failing to achieve pay parity with co-host Karl Stefanovic
The veteran magazine editor and journalist abruptly left the Nine network in October after failing to achieve pay parity with co-host Karl Stefanovic.
Lisa reportedly secured a $2.3 million salary to front The Sunday Project on weekends and helm the new digital site Ten Daily for Channel 10.
A statement from Channel Nine said the network was ‘unable to meet the expectations of Lisa Wilkinson and her manager on a contract renewal’.
New role: Lisa reportedly secured a $2.3 million salary to front The Sunday Project on weekends and helm the new digital site Ten Daily for Channel 10