Former Project star makes shock return to the show after quitting three years ago

Peter Helliar was back on The Project on Tuesday night.
The comedian, who sensationally quit the current affairs series in 2022, appeared alongside series regulars Waleed Aly, Sam Taunton, Sarah Harris and guest star Kate Langbroek.
While fans of the show were happy to see Peter back behind the desk, he was just dropping by to promote his new children's book, Detective Galileo.
Peter admitted he felt a little unusual sitting in a spot on the desk normally reserved for guests.
'I used to be on this side of the desk, and then the last few times on that side, and now back on this side. I'm playing tennis with myself!' he joked.
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Peter explained that his three sons Liam, Oscar and Aiden 'are 22, 20 and 16' so no longer the target audience for his kid's books.
'I still sit at the edge of their bed and read to them' he joked.
'They are less interested to hear my ideas, but they love it and they are supportive. I try to get in touch with my own inner child rather than talk to my kids about it'.
It's not the first time Peter has returned to the show since his departure.
Last year, he appeared on the desk alongside Michael Hing, Max Rushden and Sarah Harris.
'It's our globetrotting mate, Pete Helliar, on the desk!' the veteran was introduced, before explaining what brought him back to his old stomping ground for a guest appearance.
'I had to come back from Argentina because I've not put in my vote in for marsupial of the year' Peter, who had spent time travelling recently for The Amazing Race Australia, joked.
'The Wi-Fi wasn't good on the Inca Trail. I'm a hairy-nosed wombat guy. They twerk people to death'.
Peter then settled right into the show, presenting stories and joking with the new cast like old friends.
His fans were delighted, with several sharing their thoughts on social media.
'Great! You need to return permanently!' wrote one person while someone else said: 'Should be the co-host'.
Peter earlier revealed the real reason why he quit The Project as the mass exodus from the struggling Channel Ten show continues.
The 49-year-old announced he was leaving the show three years ago, and at the time explained he decided to quit following the departure of his co-host Carrie Bickmore.
'Carrie, you recently said that you are glad you're leaving The Project while you still love it and I still love the show. I really do,' he said.
'[The Project] means a lot to me. It's done amazing things for me. I interviewed Luke Skywalker once... and I look forward to see what the show is in the future.'
Peter also said he's excited to be moving into 'new areas' and didn't want to be 'a creator who leaves meetings to go to another meeting'.
He also told Nova's Fitzy & Wippa that he wants to 'do things with my life professionally and personally'.
'[There are] things I want to do with my life, not just professionally but personally and I've already booked into the ashes in London next year,' he said.
'It's not just 10 years on the project. But before that is like 10 years on Rove Live in the office every day.'
The Project was rocked by two other high-profile exits in late 2022.
Lisa Wilkinson announced she was quitting effective immediately, and long-time anchor Carrie confirmed her departure a month prior.
'I have decided it's time to reprioritise a few things in my life,' Wilkinson began alongside co-hosts Hamish Macdonald and The Bachelor's Laura Byrne.
'And after almost 15 years of the early alarm of breakfast TV, and now another five years here at The Project desk, I'm looking at how I want the coming years to play out both professionally and personally.'
In October that year, Lisa's co-star Bickmore announced her departure from The Project after 12 years on air.
Bickmore had been absent for a three month 'sabbatical' with her family in London earlier this year, before returning to the panel in July, only to quit in October.

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