Carrie Bickmore announces she is leaving The Project for good.

Carrie Bickmore has announced she will be leaving The Project. 

Carrie has co-hosted the panel show for 13 years, hosting the very first episode in 2009 alongside Dave Hughes and Charlie Pickering. Julie Goodwin, the first winner of MasterChef Australia, was their guest of honour. 

The first ever episode of The Project. Image: Network 10.  

Bickmore's announcement comes after she took three months off to spend more time with her family, a decision she didn't make lightly, but one she said was necessary for her to take her kids on an adventure. 

“Well, I just wanted to share a little personal news from me tonight before we go on... that, in April, I’m going to be taking a few months off The Project desk,” she said in her March 2022 announcement.

“Chris and I and the kids are heading off on a family adventure together."

Bickmore, her partner Chris Walker, and their children travelled around the Mediterranean for months, soaking up the European summer and exploring the sights together. 

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A post shared by Carrie Bickmore (@bickmorecarrie)

On tonight's episode, Bickmore explained she's leaving the show after 13 years because she wants to spend more time at home. 

Tearing up on air, she made the following statement: "After 13 years at The Project, I have made the tough decision to finish up hosting the show at the end of the year. It's been the hardest decision of my professional life, to make this call, but it's time for a new challenge and my next chapter. 

"There's so much I'm going to miss. I'm going to miss my best mates at the desk, the job itself, which is so incredibly fulfilling, the wonderful viewers who have watched the show over the last 13 years. It's no secret that this show has become a second home to me, and I couldn't be more thankful to everyone that has been involved on and off screen. It has been a long journey. I started the show when Ollie, my son, was one, and he's now 15, which is crazy. And I want to spend more time at home. I want to have more family dinners.

"You know, I'll watch the show at home with a glass of wine in hand," she continued. "Yeah, it's been a very tough decision but it is time. And there's lots more I want to say to the amazing people I work with, and there will be a time when I will say my final goodbyes, but for now, I will enjoy every show that I have left until the end of the year when I will finish up. And I just wanted to say an enormous thank you. It has been an incredible privilege."

.@BickmoreCarrie has been on The Project desk since the day we first launched in 2009 and tonight, Carrie has revealed that she will be leaving the show. Here is the moment she made the the announcement.#TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/a7RkxGl6KH

— The Project (@theprojecttv) October 11, 2022

Her partner was in the crowd and appeared emotional while Bickmore was delivering her speech.

"The easy decision obviously would be to stay because I love it here, I absolutely love it here. But I want to find out who I am without the show. This show is so much in my DNA, and I don't know who I am without it and I want to, you know, go to more piano practices and, you know, cricket training sessions."

When asked by her co-hosts if she was sure of her decision, she said: "I think with any big decision there'll be doubt. I'm leaving at a time which I'm so happy to be here, which is so confusing!"

Then, of course, the questioning turned to what Bickmore would do next. To that she explained she doesn't even know yet – but she's certainly not leaving TV for good.

"I look forward to being at home, being able to help Chris out a bit more. I'm not leaving TV." 

You can listen to Mia Freedman interview Carrie Bickmore on No Filter right here.

Image: Carrie Bickmore Instagram.