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Today show addresses Lisa Wilkinson's departure
Lisa Wilkinson's ex Today show colleagues have taken a moment to thank the former anchor after she blindsided the panel with her decision to jump ship to Channel Ten.
After the 57-year-old's shock decision to move to The Project was announced on Monday night, Karl Stefanovic, Sylvia Jeffreys, Richard Wilkins, Deborah Knight and Tim Gilbert, took time out during Tuesday's show to pay tribute to Lisa and her decade-long stint at Channel Nine and the breakfast show.
Lisa's co-host Karl started the tribute, saying she handled her role on the breakfast show with "grace and beauty". Watch Karl's tribute to Lisa in the clip above.
"For 10 years Lisa has dragged herself out of be at 3:30 in the morning, fed the dogs and cats and put a load of washing on and come into work and sat on my left to inform you at home about what's happening in the world," the 43-year-old started.
"For 10 years she has handled those brutal, brutal hours with grace, beauty, intelligence, and a wicked, wicked sense of humour."
Karl continued, confessing the mother-of-three's network move came as a "shock" and the news is yet to sink in, however he went on to thank Lisa for her service, and shared a more personal message thanking her for her friendship.
"For whatever reason she won't be doing that anymore and it was a surprise to us all, it safe to say we are all a little bit shocked and it will take a little while to sink in. So for now, just this - Lisa, thank you.
"Thank you for the laughs, the sage advice, the calmness, oh the calmness and thank you for all of your support. Thank you for being a great colleague, thanks for being a great interviewer, thanks for being a great dancer, and a truly, truly, terrible singer," he joked.
Lisa Wilkinson reveals rival 'ruthlessly tried to take her down'
Karl reflected on his time with Lisa. Source: Channel Nine Meanwhile Sylvia also shared a loving message to her friend. Source: Channel Nine
"Thanks for being a great mum, I know you value that more than anything else and thank you for being a great friend. The rest I will leave for when I see you, but whatever you do and wherever you go, you do so having made your mark on this show and on this man. And mostly you go with my love. Lots of love, all my love, we will see you soon. Maybe after midday. Enjoy the sleep-ins."
Despite constant rumours of a rivalry and rifts, Sylvia also sent a loving message to Lisa, wishing her luck in her new role as host of The Project, adding it was a "privilege" to work alongside the veteran journalist. Watch Syvia's message below.
"Certainly from my perspective, it has been an enormous, tremendous privilege to share a part of Lisa's Today chapter and above all it is a tremendous privilege to share a beautiful friendship with her and I know that will continue for a very long time to come," Sylvia said.
"I did speak privately to Lisa last night and I thanked her and I congratulated her because ultimately this is an exciting time for Lise, it is the start of a brilliant and exciting new chapter, and I will be cheering her on, like I always do as she takes on this next challenge."
Sylvia, who recently married Karl's younger brother Peter Stefanovic, went on saying Lisa is an inspiration for young women aspiring to work in media.
"Here's the thing seeing is believing for young girls and young women and what they see in Lisa is a strong, influential, fun and compassionate woman at the very top of her game. And that is a very powerful thing," she continued before concluding.
"A beautiful thing too is, she may not miss the alarm clock, but I know she will miss our viewers so do keep sending your love to online. If you are watching Lise, I hope you're enjoying your breakfast with Pete and the kids, and it would be even better if Pete prepared that breakfast for you and you're still in a big fluffy robe."
Meanwhile a source confirmed to Be that the studios are saddened by her departure saying: "Yep, all very shocked and sad here. But happy for LW."
Lisa announced on Monday night she had hosted her last Today show and would be moving to Channel Ten to host The Project alongside Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar.
Her exit from the network comes after speculation surrounding her salary expectations, with reports Lisa demanded the same pay as co-host Karl, who is reportedly earning between $6-$9 million over three years, according to The Guardian.
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