Who will replace Lisa Wilkinson on The Today Show?

On Monday night, Lisa Wilkinson announced she was leaving The Today Show effective immediately.

Wilkinson’s exit came, reportedly, after Channel Nine refused to pay her the equivalent of Karl Stefanovic’s salary, her co-host for the past 10 years.

“I have some news. I’m sad to say that today was my last day on The Today Show,” Wilkinson wrote in a social media post.

Accompanying her post was a statement from Channel Nine confirming the news. Wilkinson then announced she was moving to Network Ten to join The Project.

Her shock exit has left people wondering who will be filling her very big shoes on Today. 

Channel Nine is yet to announce her replacement but they did say in a statement they would be “going in another direction and will be considering our options in the coming weeks and months”.

So that could mean anything, really.

Here’s a round up of the most likely suspects to replace Wilkinson:

Sylvia Jeffreys

Call off the search!! I’ve found the cutest dog EVER!!! In the history of the world!!! Full stop. Can’t repeat back. ????????????@peter_stefanovic we may have a new flatmate ???????? #samoyed #dogsofinstagram #puppylove #dognapper

A post shared by Sylvia Jeffreys (@sylviajeffreys) on Oct 3, 2017 at 2:54pm PDT

Sylvia Jeffreys has been pegged as the front runner to replace Wilkinson. She’s a longtime Today staffer, she currently reads the news on the show, and she’s married to Karl’s brother, Peter Stefanovic.

Jeffreys has also been the primary stand-in host on the show whenever Wilkinson was absent.

However, Jeffreys apparently has the same manager as Wilkinson, so the Nine Network could come up against the same problems when trying to recruit her for the co-host role. You know, like actually having to pay her what she’s worth.

Deborah Knight

After Wilkinson’s shock exit yesterday, Deb Knight stepped in and co-hosted the show with Stefanovic this morning.

In 2011 while Network Ten was “reshuffling” their news programming, Knight was fired from her news anchor role and replaced by Sandra Sully.

Since then she has been hosting Today’s weekend edition.

???? Shoe in

Deborah Knight was suddenly sacked by the very network Lisa Wilkinson is now joining…

Will Deb be the new #9Today co-host? pic.twitter.com/ESYRES0O1o

— Mr TV ???????? (@MrTVAus) October 16, 2017

Chris Bath

This talented supernova of enthusiasm @jessicamauboy1 coming your way after 8pm tonight @abcinsydney #Evenings tonight

A post shared by chrisbath (@chrisbath) on Jul 26, 2017 at 2:04am PDT

On the Kyle and Jackie O Show this morning, entertainment writer Peter Ford said former Channel Seven news presenter, Chris Bath, could be a real contender for the role.

Bath is currently the host of Evenings on ABC radio in Sydney and she’s also a media freelancer.

Georgie Gardner

Bit pleased to be back working alongside this fabulous man #todayshow #fun

A post shared by Georgie Gardner (@georgiegardner9) on Feb 19, 2017 at 4:26pm PST

According to Peter Ford, “market research” shows the audience want Georgie Gardner to replace Wilkinson.

“Whether they give it to her or not I don’t know,” he explained to Kyle and Jackie O this morning.

“You wouldn’t want to put in someone untested, you want someone who’s filled in and you know there’s some magic or spark there.”

Gardner has worked on the Today show as a morning newsreader and is now a news anchor for 9News Sydney and she’s also a presenter for Today Extra.

Rebecca Maddern

Footy Show tonight, @scanlantheodore red dress ❤️ #becsthreads

A post shared by Rebecca Maddern (@rebeccamaddern) on Sep 21, 2017 at 2:43am PDT

Rebecca Maddern is a regular host on The Footy Show. She also hosted Australian Ninja Warrior – Channel Nine’s breakout family hit show earlier this year which makes her a bit of a fan favourite.

Samantha Armytage

Attention J-Ro; your Christmas present has arrived…???????????????????????? @jessjrowe (& a special shout-out to Pete ???? & to @seanprflynn for getting it on a @qantas plane ????) xx

A post shared by Samantha Armytage (@sam_armytage) on Oct 15, 2017 at 4:24pm PDT

Samantha Armytage currently co-hosts Channel Seven’s Sunrise with David Koch – you know, the competition.

But Armytage could be tempted to jump networks after Wilkinson’s sudden departure.

How do you think will replace Lisa Wilkinson? Tell us your opinion in the comments below. 

LISTEN: Lisa Wilkinson on Marriage, Karl and Her Latest Project. 

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