When Lisa Wilkinson sensationally quit the Today show last week only to quickly nab a role on The Project, it was the biggest upheaval on TV all year.
And according to this week’s Woman’s Day, the 57-year-old’s plum new gig has Network Ten employees trembling in their boots.
The magazine reported that The Project staff are worried their jobs could be now be on the line, with even long-running host Carrie Bickmore’s role looking to be in a precarious position.
Causing a shake-up? According to this week’s Woman’s Day, Lisa Wilkinson (pictured) taking up a role at Network Ten has employees concerned about their job security
‘I think everyone on The Project feels insecure about their jobs now,’ a senior staffer reportedly told the magazine.
In the interview, the source added that a shake up of employees is likely given the embattled network is splashing so much cash to have Lisa on board.
‘The network is facing enormous money problems, and will need to make sure Lisa’s reported $2 million salary isn’t wasted. I can’t see how they can keep all the hosts on the show now and not expect some to leave to “pursue new opportunities” in the near future,’ the staffer said.
Controversial: The magazine suggested Carrie Bickmore’s (left) job could be on the chopping block and that co-host Waleed Aly (right) earns double her salary
And it could be long-standing Project host Carrie Bickmore that is in the firing line with rumours circulating she could be given the boot once Lisa arrives.
The magazine reported that Lisa’s rumoured salary is estimated to be four times what Carrie earns and even more controversially, the publication also suggested that Carrie’s co-host Waleed takes home a salary double the size of the blonde TV personality.
However, a spokesperson for Network Ten hit back at the magazine’s claims, saying in regards to salaries, ‘recent media reports have been completely wrong’.
‘It is nonsense and deliberately misleading to suggest that hiring Lisa Wilkinson will lead to job cuts,’ the spokesperson added.
‘As we have said several times before, there will be no “cast shake-up” at The Project.’
Sensational exit: Lisa (right) quit to Today show after Channel Nine reportedly refused to pay her the same as Karl Stefanovic (left)
Infamously, Lisa had also grappled with the gender pay gap and last Monday resigned from the Today show after Channel Nine reportedly refused to give her pay her the same as co-host Karl Stefanovic.
The veteran media star was not given a chance to say goodbye on air and is said to be ‘devastated’ over her treatment from her former employers.
‘Lisa is devastated. She prides herself on being a consummate professional and would never just walk away from the show,’ the source added.
After Lisa’s shock resignation, her aspiring daughter Billi, 19, gushed about her mum on Instagram.
‘Thank you, Mum, for paving the way for the next generation and every generation to come. You are a leader and an inspiration for so many tonight,’ Billi wrote.
‘You are a leader and an inspiration’: After Lisa quit, her 19-year-old daughter Billi (right) took to Instagram to gush about her mother
On sale now: For more, pick up a copy of this week’s edition of Woman’s Day