Lisa Wilkinson has stunned her fans by announcing her shock return to the Today show, eight years after she resigned from her co-hosting role. The veteran presenter, 66, shared the exciting news on social media on Tuesday, revealing she would be making a guest appearance on the Channel Nine breakfast show on Wednesday to promote her new book.
A Nostalgic Comeback to Breakfast Television
"Tomorrow, after more than eight years away from the Today Show, I'll be back at the desk with Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo, talking about my new book, all things Titanic and Evelyn Marsden," Lisa shared on Instagram. "With maybe a little reminiscing thrown in for good measure. See you after 8 o'clock." Lisa's new book, The Titanic Story Of Evelyn, is an in-depth investigation into the only Australian survivor of the 1912 sinking, and is available now in bookstores.
Co-Hosts Express Excitement for the Return
The Today show co-hosts quickly took to the comment section to share their excitement. "Haha. Don't forget to set your alarm," Karl quipped. "Ooh this will be fun!! Cannot wait!! Have you cleared your calendar for August..?" Sarah added, to which Lisa cheekily responded: "Funny you should say that Sarah…I'm remarkably free these days!" Lisa previously co-hosted the Today show alongside Karl Stefanovic for over a decade, from 2007 to 2017.
A Personal Project Amidst Public Scrutiny
It comes after the veteran broadcaster opened up about stepping back into public life, the emotional toll of constant scrutiny and her new book in the latest issue of Stellar. "This project came right in the middle of all of the court drama, and it was just an idea I came up with one day that made me lean in. I wasn't even looking for a project. I was just trying to get through every day," she told the publication.
"It was the most incredibly wonderful distraction to be able to delve into someone else's life – not my own – because I was everywhere in the press. I was sick of me. I can't imagine how the rest of the country felt." At the heart of Wilkinson's book is Evelyn Marsden - the only Australian-born survivor of the RMS Titanic sinking. It's a story that resonated with her, quickly becoming more than just historical research.
Finding Perspective Through Historical Tragedy
"I felt like that was all I was doing every single day – rowing against a tide," Wilkinson says, explaining why she dedicated the book to 'every woman, like Evelyn, who has ever rowed against the tide'. "That was the moment when I just fell in love with her and just knew that I had to do this story." Immersing herself in the tragedy of the Titanic - where more than 1500 people died - also gave her perspective.
"When you deal with tragedy on that level, it puts into perspective any troubles I might have been having." The past few years haven't been easy. Wilkinson found herself at the centre of intense public debate following her 2021 interview with Brittany Higgins on The Project. But she insists she never regretted telling the story.
"I don't think I ever had that thought, but I certainly had some very rough days," she says. "So every time it was, 'I'm OK, I'm not on the Titanic, not fighting to save my life. I'm just hoping to defend some work of mine.'"
