An Australian breakfast TV host has announced her shock resignation following a reported dispute over her being paid half that of her male co-host.
Lisa Wilkinson, who hosted the Today Show for a decade, tweeted on Monday night to break the news to fans.
"I'm sad to say that today was my last day on @the today show," she wrote, before posting an image of the official statement from network Channel Nine.
"Nine today confirmed we have been unable to meet the expectations of Lisa Wilkinson and her manager on a contract renewal for a further period," the network said in the statement.
"We express our gratitude to Lisa for her 10 years with the Today Show and are disappointed we find ourselves in this position. Nine will be going in another direction and will be considering our options in the coming weeks and months."
Wilkinson, a veteran journalist, will rival network Ten's panel show The Project in January 2016. Ten confirmed her appointment in a statement less than an hour after her resignation was announced.
Sources told The Guardian Wilkinson was offered AUD$1.8 million (NZD$1.97) for the breakfast show gig next year, but was asking for AUD$2 million (NZD$2.18 million), which is closer to what is paid to her co-host Karl Stevanovic. He was reportedly paid AUD$6m for a three-year-deal.
In her own statement, Wilkinson thanked her co-host and other faces of the Today Show, after 10 years on the team.
"I would particularly like to acknowledge my colleagues Karl, Sylvia, Georgie, Tim, Richard, Stevie and Natalia, as well as all the hard working producers and the entire team behind the cameras - every one of them has contributed to the incredible success of the show.
"Most particularly though I want to thank the Today Show audience who have been so supportive and incredibly loyal to me over the last decade. I can never thank you enough and I look forward to seeing you soon."
Stevanovic himself became emotional as he thanked Wilkinson on air on Tuesday morning.
"For 10 years, she handled the brutal hours with grace, beauty and intelligence and a wicked sense of humour. For whatever reason, she won't be doing that anymore. It is safe to say we are all a little shocked and it will take time to sink in.
"Mostly you go with my love, lots of love, all my love. We will see you soon, maybe after midday. Enjoy the sleep-ins."
Newshub.
