“It’s been the greatest job in the world”: Carrie Bickmore farewells The Project

A tearful -could there ever be any other- Carrie Bickmore tonight farewelled viewers on The Project after a 13 year run.

The final episode was a ‘Festival of Carrie’ with segments acknowledging her work in Beanies for Brain Cancer which has raised over $20m, archival stories that triggered her open tears, news events spanning 13 years, and her celebrity interviews.

Guests included original hosts Charlie Pickering and Dave Hughes plus Kate Langbroek, Rachel Corbett, Fifi Box, Hamish Macdonald and Steve Price who even called her the most impressive person he’d worked with in media. That shocked even Carrie herself.

“We are great mates even though we share differing opinions,” she replied.

Throughout the show were video tributes to the ‘captain of the ship’ from Julia Morris, Natalie Imbruglia, Jimmy Barnes, Ryan Fitzgerald, Kitty Flanagan, Magda Szubanski, Sam Smith, Dr. Chris Brown, Urzila Carlson and more.

PM Anthony Albanese said her authentic portrayal made people feel like they knew here.

In the green room was a party with Rove McManus, former executive producer Craig Campbell  Georgia Tunny, and more.

Describing her time as a “wonderful ride,” Bickmore thanked co-hosts, producers, network execs, crew, publicity, journos, stylists, agent and the audience.

Seated in the studio audience were partner Chris Walker and her three kids, for whom she made special mention.

“I hope you all find a job as much as I love this job. It’s been an absolute joy and I hope you’re proud of everything that I’ve done over the years. To my parents, and my friends it certainly takes a village to help a mother of three do a job like this on TV and I couldn’t have done it without all of you. So thank you so much for picking up the pieces when I let them go,” she said.

She also recalled once visiting a hospital where a patient thanked her for being nightly company.

“She would sit there feeling lonely and she turned on the TV and she’d eat dinner and watch us. But we kept her company and made her feel happier and feel less alone. I think of that young girl often when I’m having a flat day, missing my kids at night. I’m so glad I could have kept her company. And I hope I’ve kept many of your company over the years.

“It’s been the greatest job in the world. Thank you.”

The Gold Logie winner is also leaving 10, ending some 17 years which has included Rove Live and So You Think You Can Dance Now.

She is yet to indicate her next move in television, but continues with her radio commitments.

After 13 years at The Project desk, @BickmoreCarrie has signed off. Here is the moment she said goodbye.#TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/mcj9ldvXyY

— The Project (@theprojecttv) November 30, 2022