Lisa Wilkinson’s daughter breaks silence on her exit from The Project

Lisa Wilkinson’s journalist daughter has stated she is ‘so proud’ of her well-known mom after she introduced she was quitting The Challenge on Sunday evening.

Billi FitzSimons, 25, reacted to her mum’s on-air resignation on Instagram Tales by reposting footage of Wilkinson, 62, signing off for the final time.

‘So proud,’ wrote FitzSimons, a former Mamamia author who was just lately appointed as editor of youth information web site The Every day Aus.

She added a crying-face and coronary heart emoji.

Wilkinson introduced she was quitting The Challenge on the finish of Sunday’s episode, leaving viewers shocked. 

‘I’ve determined it’s time to reprioritise a couple of issues in my life,’ the TV veteran started alongside co-hosts Hamish Macdonald and Laura Byrne.

‘And after nearly 15 years of the early alarm of breakfast TV, and now one other 5 years right here at The Challenge desk, I’m taking a look at how I would like the approaching years to play out each professionally and personally,’ she added.

‘So, from tonight, I’m stepping again from internet hosting the present.

FitzSimons, 25, reacted to her mum’s on-air resignation on Instagram Tales by reposting footage of Wilkinson, 62, signing off for the final time 

‘Sitting at this desk and dealing with this unimaginable group – each in entrance of and behind the digicam – has been an absolute privilege.

‘These individuals are genuinely are among the most gifted and first rate people I do know.

‘And also you, our passionate, engaged viewers, have been so form in making me really feel so welcome in your properties. I’ve had a ball, however for me, proper now, it’s time for a change.’

Wilkinson went on to elucidate that she was not leaving Channel 10 and was ‘taking a look at some thrilling work concepts forward’. 

Wilkinson, 62, introduced she was quitting The Challenge on the finish of Sunday evening’s episode, leaving viewers shocked 

‘I’ve to be sincere with you. The final six months haven’t been straightforward, and the relentless focused toxicity within the media has taken a toll. Not simply on me, however on individuals I really like,’ she stated

‘However I’ve to be sincere with you. The final six months haven’t been straightforward, and the relentless focused toxicity within the media has taken a toll. Not simply on me, however on individuals I really like,’ Wilkinson stated. 

‘Don’t get me improper, I’m not above criticism, removed from it. I’m human, and I don’t all the time get it proper, none of us do, however by God I’ve tried. 

‘I’ve given this job every thing I’ve, and I hope you at house know that. I hope I’ve introduced you tales that matter and launched you to individuals whose lives and experiences may need in any other case by no means been advised, and helped convey into focus points that deserve our collective consideration. 

‘So to everybody who has been so extremely supportive and reached out, notably in current months, thanks. You’ll by no means know the way a lot it has meant to me.’

Wilkinson (proper, with Hamish Macdonald) went on to elucidate that she was not leaving Channel 10 and was ‘taking a look at some thrilling work concepts forward’

Wilkinson concluded: ‘I particularly need to thank [media executive] Peter Meakin right here at The Challenge, the sensible previous owl of reports and present affairs on this nation, who has been such an unwavering and beneficiant supporter and mentor of mine proper throughout my time in TV, simply as he has been for therefore many others.

‘And at last to Leigh Gross sales, Tracy Grimshaw, and Carrie Bickmore: should you guys are up for a drink, I’ll see you on the bar. The margaritas are on me.’

Macdonald praised Wilkinson for making the troublesome determination to go away.

Macdonald praised Wilkinson for making the troublesome determination to go away. ‘I do know being your colleague and buddy for some years now, that that is the fitting determination for you and your loved ones at this time limit,’ he stated

‘There’s been days this 12 months, notably within the final six months, the place I believe you’ve taught all of us a lesson right here in what resolve and tenacity is,’ he added whereas holding Wilkinson’s hand  

‘I do know being your colleague and buddy for some years now, that that is the fitting determination for you and your loved ones at this time limit,’ he stated whereas holding Wilkinson’s hand.

‘There have been days this 12 months, notably within the final six months, the place I believe you’ve taught all of us a lesson right here in what resolve and tenacity is. And also you’ve turned up on digicam even on days the place, you understand, it’s been powerful.

‘So I perceive how we’ve got ended up right here. I do know everybody here’s a bit shocked by this, and there are lots of colleagues that can need to ship you off with their love.

The exit follows a controversial 12 months for Wilkinson, throughout which she was taken off air after her disastrous Logies speech that resulted in a rape trial being delayed. (Pictured on the Logies)

‘They’re most likely studying about this proper now together with all of you at house and so I need to say from all of us right here at The Challenge and at Ten, thanks very a lot as a result of you’ve got put all that you’ve into this. 

‘You’re employed like a bloody horse. It’s unbelievable.’

Macdonald concluded with the promise that Wilkinson might return to The Challenge sooner or later.

‘Have an awesome lengthy break, so long as you want. We’ll see you again right here whenever you’re prepared,’ he stated.

Wilkinson’s advocacy-tinged journalism landed her in scorching water when she spoke of an upcoming court docket case whereas accepting an award on the Logies on June 19 (pictured)

Wilkinson gained the Gold Logie for her sit-down interview with Brittany Higgins (proper), during which the ex-Liberal staffer alleged she was raped by her colleague Bruce Lehrmann in a minister’s workplace throughout 2019

The exit follows a controversial 12 months for Wilkinson, throughout which she was taken off air after her disastrous Logies speech that resulted in a rape trial being delayed.

Wilkinson gained the Gold Logie for her sit-down interview with Brittany Higgins, during which the ex-Liberal staffer alleged she was raped by her colleague Bruce Lehrmann in a minister’s workplace in 2019.

The unique trial date was slated for June 27 however within the aftermath of Wilkinson’s acceptance speech, a choose delayed the high-profile case ruling it will be ‘unfair’ to proceed among the many public commentary surrounding the case. 

The trial was delayed till October in consequence. 

Wilkinson made an sudden return to the dwell panel in July (pictured with Rachel Corbett). Her return was a ‘last-minute’ determination, insiders advised The Australian, leaving many trade figures blindsided as earlier stories indicated she wouldn’t be again on air till August

Whereas The Challenge star copped a wave of public scrutiny, Channel 10 stood by Wilkinson and referred to as the criticism ‘inaccurate and unfair’, however she was nonetheless taken off the air and decamped to Hollywood to flee the backlash.

Wilkinson later resurfaced on Instagram on July 18 to disclose she was in Los Angeles, sharing a photograph of herself exterior The Lodge California in Palm Springs. 

Throughout her absence from the dwell panel, she recorded interviews in California with the likes of Gloria Allred and Ryan Tedder for The Challenge.  

Throughout her absence from the dwell panel, she recorded interviews in California with the likes of Gloria Allred and Ryan Tedder for The Challenge. (Pictured: Wilkinson interviewing musician Ryan Tedder in a pre-recorded phase that aired in July)

Wilkinson made an sudden return to the dwell panel in July, and was again to anchoring the Channel 10 present 4 nights per week. 

She reportedly ‘raced again’ to Australia so she may fill the internet hosting place.

Her return was a ‘last-minute’ determination, insiders advised The Australian, leaving many trade figures blindsided as earlier stories indicated she wouldn’t be again on air till August.

She reportedly ‘raced again’ to Australia so she may fill the internet hosting place, after decamping to Hollywood for a number of weeks 

Wilkinson joined The Challenge in 2018, following her departure from the Immediately present, after a reported wage dispute and ‘simmering tensions’ with former co-host Karl Stefanovic.

In November, The Every day Telegraph claimed Wilkinson was pocketing an infinite $1.7million per 12 months on The Challenge.

It comes on the again of a troublesome 12 months for Channel 10’s present affairs panel present, which has now misplaced two of its greatest stars.

Wilkinson joined The Challenge in 2018, following her departure from the Immediately present, after a reported wage dispute and ‘simmering tensions’ with former co-host Karl Stefanovic (proper) 

In November, The Every day Telegraph claimed Wilkinson was pocketing an infinite $1.7million per 12 months on The Challenge 

In October, Wilkinson’s co-star Carrie Bickmore introduced her departure from The Challenge after 12 years on air. 

Bickmore had been absent for a 3 month ‘sabbatical’ together with her household in London earlier this 12 months, earlier than returning to the panel in July, solely to give up in October.  

She’s going to go away Channel 10 altogether after she finally ends up on the finish of this month, making her subsequent profession transfer unclear.

In October, Wilkinson’s co-star Carrie Bickmore (pictured) introduced her departure from the present affairs present after 12 years 

Final 12 months, OzTAM scores revealed The Challenge had misplaced nearly a 3rd of its viewers since 2011.

The struggling present noticed its metro scores plummet to an all-time low of simply 367,000 final 12 months.

That’s a 30 per cent decline from its five-city viewers of 538,000 a decade earlier.

Mass exodus from The Challenge: ‘Extra resignations’ are coming for struggling Channel 10 present after Lisa Wilkinson and Carrie Bickmore’s shock exits

There will probably be extra resignations to return for Channel 10’s embattled present affairs present The Challenge, a number one TV pundit has warned.

The left-leaning information program has been rocked by two high-profile exits in current weeks: Lisa Wilkinson introduced final evening she was quitting efficient instantly, and long-time anchor Carrie Bickmore confirmed her departure a month in the past.

However that might not be the tip of the mass exodus, with veteran leisure reporter Peter Ford saying he expects extra presenters to throw within the towel earlier than the tip of the scores 12 months.

There will probably be extra resignations to return for Channel 10’s The Challenge, a number one TV pundit has warned. The left-leaning information program has been rocked by two high-profile exits in current weeks: Lisa Wilkinson (proper) introduced final evening she was quitting efficient instantly, and long-time anchor Carrie Bickmore (left) confirmed her departure a month in the past

‘There will probably be extra “shock resignations” within the subsequent two weeks,’ he tweeted after Wilkinson introduced her exit on the finish of The Sunday Challenge.

‘How coincidental so many individuals all resolve at identical time they “want a change”,’ added Ford, the showbiz correspondent for The Morning Present and 3AW Breakfast.

Ford promised to inform all about Wilkinson’s exit and ‘who’s going subsequent’, in addition to the story behind Channel 10’s ‘last-ditch try and rebrand the present’, on Monday.

That might not be the tip of the mass exodus, with leisure reporter Peter Ford (pictured) saying he expects extra presenters to throw within the towel earlier than the tip of the scores 12 months 

He later fired off a snarky tweet accusing Wilkinson of ‘making herself a sufferer’ together with her resignation speech, during which she accused the media of ‘focused toxicity’ and spoke of how the final ‘six months haven’t been straightforward’.

‘All of the arduous work she’s put in and so on. and so on. for 4 nights per week and 20 grand per week. That poor woman!’ he added.

He didn’t specify who can be subsequent out the door, however The Challenge has a roster of normal hosts together with comic Tommy Little, former Q&A presenter Hamish Macdonald and long-time co-anchor Waleed Aly.

Aly is unlikely to go away, nonetheless, after signing a ‘seven-figure, multi-year deal’ with Channel 10 in March, in line with The Australian.

‘There will probably be extra “shock resignations” within the subsequent two weeks,’ Ford tweeted on Sunday. ‘How coincidental so many individuals all resolve at identical time they “want a change”.’ (Pictured: Bickmore and Wilkinson on the Logie Awards on the Gold Coast on June 30, 2019)

Ford promised to inform all about Wilkinson’s exit and ‘who’s going subsequent’, in addition to the story behind Channel 10’s ‘last-ditch try and rebrand the present’, on Monday

He didn’t specify who can be subsequent out the door, however The Challenge has a roster of normal hosts together with comic Tommy Little (left) and former Q&A presenter Hamish Macdonald (proper)

Lengthy-time co-anchor Waleed Aly (pictured) is unlikely to go away, nonetheless, after signing a ‘seven-figure, multi-year deal’ with Channel 10 in March, in line with The Australian

Ford wasn’t the one media persona weighing in on Wilkinson’s exit, with radio host Kyle Sandilands speculating her departure from The Challenge will successfully mark the tip of her life within the public eye.

He famous how her husband Peter FitzSimons had additionally just lately stepped again from his high-profile function as the pinnacle of the Australian Republic Motion.

He added: ‘Lisa Wilkinson, jobless. Thank God. Channel 10 noticed the sunshine, removed that $2million mistake. And now the husband [FitzSimons] has acquired no job both. You watch them vanish… They’ll disappear. They’ll simply go away.’

Wilkinson will not be really leaving Channel 10, however solely stepping again from her duties as a bunch of The Challenge and The Sunday Challenge. 

Ford wasn’t the one media persona weighing in on Wilkinson’s exit, with radio host Kyle Sandilands (pictured) speculating her departure from The Challenge will successfully mark the tip of her life within the public eye 

‘Lisa Wilkinson, jobless. Thank God. Channel 10 noticed the sunshine, removed that $2million mistake. And now the husband [Peter FitzSimons] has acquired no job both. You watch them vanish… They’ll disappear. They’ll simply go away,’ Sandilands stated. (Wilkinson and FitzSimons are pictured in in Sydney on September 23, 2017)

Supply: | Dailymail.co.uk