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Today Colleagues Pay Tribute To Lisa Wilkinson, Who Departs Show After 10 Years

It was reported Wilkinson was paid half that of Stefanovic, despite doing the same job.

The Today show has opened its Tuesday show by acknowledging it was a "very big" day for the show following the shock departure of co-host Lisa Wilkinson after a decade.

Wilkinson stunned the media world by announcing on Monday night that she would be leaving the breakfast program immediately. She's joining Ten to host The Project.

Her decision to quit followed failed pay negotiations where Nine reportedly would not match her salary with co-host Karl Stefanovic.

"A very big day for us on the show and a very big day for Lisa Wilkinson ... plenty more to say about that later in the program," Stefanovic said at the start of Tuesday's show at 5.30am.

Deborah Knight is co-hosting the program on Tuesday.

Mr Stefanovic earns $2 million each year while Ms Wilkinson only received $1.1 million, News Corp Australia reported.

While Nine reportedly offered Ms Wilkinson $1.8 million, it didn't stop her departure.

Nine issued a statement expressing its disappointment she had not signed on for a further period.

"Nine today confirmed we have been unable to meet the expectation of Lisa Wilkinson and her manager on a contract renewal for a further period," the statement says.

"Nine will be going in another direction and will be considering our options in the coming weeks and months."

Network Ten later confirmed Ms Wilkinson was joining their current affairs program The Project in a senior hosting role.

"She has a great connection to the Australian public and a reputation that is second to none," Network Ten chief content officer Beverley McGarvey said in a statement.

"We are proud that she has agreed to join the acclaimed team at The Project and The Sunday Project."

Wilkinson took to Twitter to make the announcements.

"I have some news. I'm sad to say that today was my last day on @the today show," she tweeted, before later thanking "everyone for all your lovely messages.'

Editorial note: Lisa Wilkinson is Editor at Large of HuffPost Australia.

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