Georgie Tunny Breaks Silence on The Project Axing and Wedding Plans
Former Channel Ten presenter Georgie Tunny has finally spoken out about the cancellation of the long-running panel show The Project, which was axed in 2025 after sixteen years on air. Tunny, who appeared on the programme from 2022 until its end, described the experience as bittersweet, noting the overwhelming community support that emerged only after the show's demise, despite its cancellation due to declining ratings.
A Bittersweet Farewell to a Television Institution
In an interview with Stellar magazine's Something To Talk About podcast, Tunny reflected on the public reaction, stating, "What I've learnt is that everyone needs a punching bag, and the earlier punches hit the hardest." She expressed mixed emotions about the sudden outpouring of grief and love for the show, questioning where that support was during the months of speculation leading up to its cancellation. "We all looked around and thought: 'Where were you? Where were you for the last four months when speculation about the show was in overdrive? Where did you all come from?'" she revealed.
Viewer Criticism and the Human Cost of Cancellation
Tunny also addressed viewer criticism, urging audiences to consider the bigger picture rather than focusing on minor details. She highlighted the significant human impact of the show's end, emphasising that The Project employed nearly one hundred people, many of whom lost their livelihoods. "That's their livelihood. I think people are quick to forget that when they see a camera angle they don't like, or they don't like the way my hair looks on a particular day," she said, pointing out how trivial complaints can overshadow the real consequences of such decisions.
Personal Milestones Amid Professional Changes
On a personal note, Tunny shared updates about her relationship with fiancé Rob Mills, an Australian Idol star. The couple, who announced their engagement in January 2022 after three years of dating, are now ready to tie the knot. "I'd love to marry Rob this year. I'm ready for him to be my husband," she confessed, though she admitted that wedding planning is still in the early stages. "I'd love to be able to confirm that 2026 is going to be the year we get married, but we still haven't done anything about it. I hear that weddings take a lot of work and planning," she added with a touch of humour.
The Legacy of The Project and Its Final Days
The Project first aired in July 2009 and quickly became a television staple, reaching over a million metro viewers at its peak. The show featured a rotating panel of notable hosts, including Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Sam Taunton, Hamish Macdonald, Rove McManus, and Susie Youssef, and earned numerous accolades, such as eleven Logie Awards, with Aly and Carrie Bickmore winning viewer-voted Gold Logies.
However, audiences began to decline in recent years, with viewership dropping to between 238,000 and 357,000 nationally towards the end. In June 2024, Network 10 announced the show's cancellation via a Facebook post, thanking viewers and revealing a replacement programme. Following the news, Tunny took to social media to pay tribute to her TV "family," posting a photo with co-hosts and writing, "Goodbyes are hard, but with this team and this show… this one is going to hit differently." She described working on The Project as a dream come true, emphasising the familial bond among the team.
As Tunny moves forward with her personal life and career, her reflections offer a poignant look at the end of an era in Australian television, blending professional insights with heartfelt personal updates.
