Carrie Bickmore addresses A Current Affair rumours after shock announcement

Carrie Bickmore was unable to hide her emotion on Tuesday night when she shared she is leaving The Project after 13 years, with the presenter tearing up as she made the shocking announcement.

"After 13 years at The Project, I have made the tough decision to finish up hosting the show at the end of the year. It‘s been the hardest decision of my professional life to make this call, but it’s time for a new challenge and my next chapter," the 41-year-old shared.

"There’s so much I’m gonna miss, I’m gonna miss my best mates on the desk, the job itself, which is so incredibly fulfilling. The wonderful viewers over the last 13 years.

"It’s no secret that this show has become a second home to me, and I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone that has been involved on and off screen."

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She shared that when she began working on The Project, her son Ollie, 15, was just one, adding she wants to be there for her three children and husband Chris Walker more, "I want to spend more time at home. I want to have more family dinners."

During the announcement, Kate Langbroek asked the question on everyone's minds, "Are you hosting A Current Affair?"

Carrie was reportedly a front-runner for the role, however, she revealed she didn't know what her next TV role would be and that she was leaving The Project at a time when she was enjoying it so much, making it a very tough decision.

"I look forward to being able to help Chris out with the kids a bit more and yeah, I'm not leaving TV," she added.

Referencing the fact her son Ollie was in the audience, she said, "My son sent me a message saying he wanted to come and see my retirement – honey, I'm not retiring. I just gonna move on to something different which I do not know what that is yet."

On Instagram, Carrie shared a photo of herself with Ollie when he was a young boy at the desk and another one of him all grown up taken on Tuesday night, she wrote that she looks forward to watching the show in her "PJ’s on and a wine in hand".

"I’ll say more about the amazing people I work with when it’s time to say my final goodbye….but for now I will enjoy every show I have left til the end of the year."

Lisa Wilkinson commented on the post, writing, "We are all in complete awe of you Carrie. Thirteen unbelievable years of juggling it all with pure class, professionalism, good humour…and bringing the [fire] every single night. We are all going to miss you terribly. But so excited for your next chapter."

The Morning Show's Kylie Gillies added, "Tough decisions always feel fabulous once you’ve made them. I bet you’re feeling that now. Such admiration for you all ‘round. Superstar mum, presenter and woman."

Abbie Chatfield also wrote, "Congrats Carrie! You’re an absolute cornerstone of Australian TV and we all love you and will miss you on our screens."

Dr Chris Brown said, "Your reasons are the perfect example of what makes you so special Carrie. Real, humble and good humoured. You’ll be missed. But most importantly, congratulations on 13 amazing years."

Carrie among long list of potential A Current Affair hosts

It comes after Carrie was rumoured to be a frontrunner to replace Tracy Grimshaw as the host of A Current Affair after the veteran journalist announced she is stepping down after 17 years.

Nine is reportedly looking outside of the network with Carrie among the list of potential hosts, especially as she would finish up her current contract with Ten at the end of the year.

Four other frontrunners include A Current Affair stand-in host Sylvia Jeffreys, her brother-in-law Karl Stefanovic, his Today co-host Allison Langdon and Saturday ACA host Deb Knight.

According to the publication, Sylvia would be a clear favourite as she recently MC'd a Nine leadership summit, impressing leaders across the business, and she also recently appeared on the cover of Stellar magazine - less than a week after Tracy announced her departure.

Some other hosts who are reportedly being considered from outside of Nine include ABC's Q+A host Stan Grant, News Breakfast's Lisa Millar, Studio 10 host Sarah Harris and former Sunrise host Melissa Doyle.

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