'I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.' Sarah Harris on her new role as The Project co-host.

After a busy year, Sarah Harris has a lot to look forward to in 2023.

Following the departure of The Project co-hosts Carrie Bickmore, Lisa Wilkinson, and most recently, Peter Helliar, Harris has announced she will be taking over as one of the new co-hosts alongside returning host Waleed Aly. 

It's "one of biggest jobs on TV", she told Stellar this week - and it's a gig she doesn't take for granted. 

Watch: Lisa Wilkinson on finding out Karl was paid more to do the same job. Story continues after video. 

"I did not see this coming," she explained following the announcement of Bickmore leaving. "And I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. It’s such an incredible opportunity to step into some pretty huge shoes and be part of The Project’s next chapter.

"I can’t wait to learn more, and have some fun with Waleed and the team. This is one of the biggest jobs in TV, and feels like a once-in-a-lifetime gig."

There is mixed feelings for Harris regarding the move. Leaving her old gig behind as co-host of morning show Studio 10 - a role she's held since 2013 - was one downside.

"It’s tinged with a bit of sadness. Because I now step away from a show that’s been my baby for the better part of a decade," Harris said of her big TV move.

And behind the scenes, Harris has been dealing with the difficulty in transitioning from a married woman to a single mother too. Harris announced the split from husband of seven years, Tom Ward in March 2021. The pair share two kids together; Paul, six, and Harry, four.

"It’s real and it’s scary," she told Stellar. "There's that feeling there's no real anchor there, theres no-one on the end of the phone, even though there always is.

"When you go through something like that, it’s like walking around with no skin and you feel like everyone can see your insides. You feel so exposed and vulnerable. It was hard because I was dealing with all these changes with the show as well."

Harris with her kids. Image: Instagram @whatsarahsnapped.

Since the revelation, she's been adjusting to a new normal. 

"I don’t think anyone gets married to separate. It was gut-wrenching. But what I’m really proud of is how Tom and I have been able to work together for the kids," she said. 

“It will probably look a bit different, but we’re always going to be a family and we’re always going to be connected by these two little people.”

In replacing Bickmore, Harris knows she has big shoes to fill. But with the support of Aly, and a constant rotation of regular guest hosts (including Hamish McDonald and Georgie Tunny), she knows she can do it. 

The challenge of also transitioning from a morning breakfast show to an evening news program is one she's taking head on.

"This is one of the biggest and best jobs in TV. How could I say no?" Harris said of her new role.

"I'm beyond excited to be joining one of Australia's most iconic and agenda-driving shows. The Project does news like no other program in Australia and it's exactly the kind of fun and fearless TV I love to make. I can't wait to share the desk with Waleed, Hamish, Georgie and the rest of the team. I'm excited to shake it up in the new year!"

Aly said of his new co-host: "She’s smart. She’s warm. She’s great fun. That’s the trifecta for The Project. Everyone who’s worked with Sarah raves about her, and I can’t wait to become one of them."

Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris. Image: Network Ten.

Weeks after Bickmore announced she was leaving, Wilkinson announced she would also be leaving The Project.

"From tonight I'm stepping back from hosting the show," Wilkinson told the audience on November 20. "Sitting at this desk and working with this incredible team... has been an absolute privilege."

Helliar also announced his departure from the show mere days after Wilkinson. "People will read into a situation however they want to read into it but I feel like I need to create some space for some projects that I want to work on," he shared on air. He added that he'd been thinking about making the change for some time now.

Listen to Lisa Wilkinson's No Filter interview with Mia Freedman. Story continues after audio. 

Wilkinson, Helliar and Bickmore's leaving announcement has surprised audiences across Australia. However, Harris has indicated that she feels secure in her next role, because what defines her is not her career, or the ratings, or her next move; but her two boys.

"Before kids, I identified myself as a journalist, and when I had kids, I became a mother," she told Stellar.

"Now I know that no matter what job I do, I’m going to be OK no matter what life throws at me.

"There are days when the world is falling in and you think everyone can see your insides, but you have to dial into that sense of knowing, and not be defined by jobs and careers and children."

Feature Image: Ten/Instagram @whatsarahsnapped.

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