The Project: Chrissie Swan breaks her silence on replacing Carrie Bickmore

Chrissie Swan has confirmed reports she will be replacing Carrie Bickmore on The Project when she heads overseas next month.

The TV and radio presenter, 48, reacted to the news on Instagram on Friday, sharing a photo of herself at The Project desk, where she regularly serves as a guest panelist.

‘In the spirit of saying “yes” to things that scare me a little bit (actually a lot), and pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I have accepted the challenge to fill in for Carrie on The Project once a week until [she] returns from her overseas family adventure!’ she wrote in the caption. 

Chrissie added: ‘I am so excited. See you soon on The Project.’

Outgoing host Carrie commented below the post, ‘Have fun babe, adding a series of clapping-hands emojis.

Chrissie, who has previously been a fill-in host on the Channel 10 current affairs show, also drew responses from fellow Project panelist Peter Helliar. 

‘It does mean you’ll have to sit closer to me, Swanny, but other than that it’s all upside!’ the 46-year-old comedian joked. 

‘Peter, truth be told, I’m worried the most about the Helliar-induced giggles that I can rarely get a handle on! Be kind!’ she replied.  

Carrie, 41, announced on Tuesday’s episode she was leaving The Project to take a sabbatical in Britain with her family. 

She revealed she’d be taking ‘a few months’ off starting from April as she heads overseas with her partner Chris Walker and their three children.

‘We’ve been wanting to do it for a while but… lots of reasons, timing hasn’t been right, but we figure it’s never going to be the perfect time to go,’ she said. 

‘It’s something we really want to do before my son Ollie starts his final years at school so we’re going to do term two in the UK. So I will be off for a couple of months.’ 

The Project announced on Thursday that Chrissie and Georgie Tunny would share duties filling in for Carrie during her absence.

‘Chrissie and Georgie are well known and loved by Project viewers and I am delighted to see them both take larger hosting roles,’ The Project executive producer Chris Bendall said.

‘We have a lot of exciting plans for the show this year. Carrie’s seat is in safe hands until she returns mid-year with Chrissie and Georgie joining Lisa [Wilkinson], who will continue to deliver outstanding feature stories from around the country alongside her existing hosting duties.’