After 10 years with The Today Show, co-host Lisa Wilkinson has announced that she is leaving the show, effective immediately.
In a social media post on Monday night, Wilkinson wrote, “I have some news. I’m sad to say that today was my last day on The Today Show.”
Accompanying her social media post was a statement from Channel Nine confirming the news.
From friends, family, and Lisa Wilkinson herself, here are the best photos from her second wedding:
Lisa Wilkinson Wedding
Wilkinson thanked her co-hosts and colleagues by name and ended by thanking The Today Show audience for their continued support.
Channel Nine said they were “disappointed” to find themselves in this situation and have not announced a new co-host.
Just this week, it was reported by Annette Sharpe in the Daily Telegraph that Wilkinson was being paid only half of what her co-host, Karl Stefanovic, takes home every year.
In 2015, The Australian reported Karl Stefanovic is “actually taking home about $2.5m annually” on a three year contract, while Wilkinson takes home less than half of that, signing on – in January 2016 – for a reported $1 million a year.
In May, when Wilkinson herself was pressed on the claims in an interview with Charlie Pickering on The Weekly, she denied she had any knowledge of Stefanovic’s pay.
"It’s been widely reported that Karl is paid significantly more than you to host The Today Show. Why do you think that is?” he asked.
“And you believe everything you read?” Wilkinson said, before telling the program she has "no idea what Karl's on", just "as he has no idea was [she] is on".
“I can put my hand on my heart and say I have no idea what Karl is paid, and he has no idea what I’m paid
“Besides, I do it out of love, anyway.”
Presumably though, there are those at the network who do know what both stars are paid and it's believed this information has leaked, pointing to a significant discrepancy between the two co-hosts.
In a year where Stefanovic's private life has become fodder for public conversation and reportedly had a negative impact on the show's ratings against rival Sunrise, his co-host has been a steady hand steering the Today how ship.
Wilkinson will be sadly missed.
Listen: Mia Freedman interviews Lisa Wilkinson for No Filter.
More on Lisa Wilkinson:
Lisa Wilkinson announces amazing new job following shock resignation from The Today Show.
Is Lisa Wilkinson actually paid half of what her co-host Karl Stefanovic earns?
The touching story behind Lisa Wilkinson's 'second' wedding dress.
Top Comments
I'm going to miss Lisa alot. I thought her and Karl are the best. They both a big part of how I feel that day. I go to sleep with my tv on Chanel 9, so I DO wake to today everyday. Karl makes me laugh alot and Lisa too, I'd hear them in the morning wile sleeping with one eye open to watch, and thats it can't go back to sleep as I LOVE the today show. I'm going to miss Lisa alot, she been a big help for someone like me who has this thought 'im not good enough for my 5 beautiful kids. And body issues'. She just made me want to do better, and over the time Lisa has made me feel better about myself. I'm not 100 percent but I know Lisa did alot to help. I will miss her wise motherly advice, and how she made me feel better about myself. I miss you Lisa, you will always have a special place in my heart. Your a great mum, person, host and just all round real. Miss you in the mornings.
I'll be sad to see Lisa go but good on her for shining a light on the pay discrepancy if that is in fact why she left. Karl just comes across as such a child: he laughs at his own jokes and is never seen with his three kids, just the new girlfriend. Sack him and keep Lisa.