According to insiders, Carrie Bickmore of The Project may succeed Tracy Grimshaw as the anchor of A Current Affair.

The program’s general interest and consumer justice parts must be handled well, and the nine bosses are hoping to choose someone who can hold their own while arguing with a prime minister.

In this year’s election campaign, Grimshaw’s interview with former PM Scott Morrison generated news on its own when she probed the politician about the shortcomings of his administration.

The Project presenter for Network Ten, Carrie Bickmore, whose contract expires at the end of the year, is one of the unexpected candidates apparently being floated for the coveted position Grimshaw is leaving behind after 17 years.

ACA stand-in for Grimshaw Sylvia Jeffreys, weekend anchor Deborah Knight, and Today co-hosts Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon are among the front-runners at Nine, according to The Australian’s Media Diary. All three are seen to be capable of making the transition from mornings to primetime.

But executives are also looking at bringing in talent from outside the network with a number of high profile personalities under consideration.

All the contenders are considered skilled presenters and journalists but also relatable and comforting to a mass audiences.

Popular Melbourne-based ABC News Breakfast host Lisa Millar is reportedly one of the names being talked about.

Sydneysiders Sarah Harris, currently with Studio 10, ABC’s Q&A host Stan Grant, and Melissa Doyle, ex-Sunrise and Sunday Night host, are also all in the running.

Former Sunrise host Sam ­Armytage however is not being considered with Channel Nine bigwigs suggesting she’s ‘not a good fit’ for the network.

Carrie’s co-host at The Project Waleed Aly is also out of the running after penning a long-term deal with the CBS-owned network earlier this year.

If Bickmore is to land the iconic job, there is even a possibility production could be shifted from Sydney to Melbourne where she is based, as an extra sweetner on the contract.

But it may be some months before a full-time replacement is announced.

Grimshaw, 62, shared the news she would be stepping down with viewers during last Monday’s episode of the popular Nine Network program.

‘Normally right about now we’d be telling you what to expect tomorrow night but lately I’ve personally been thinking longer term, and I have some news that I wanted you to hear from me before you hear it from anyone else,’ she began.

‘I’ve decided to finish up with A Current Affair this year.

‘It’s been a big decision and before the gossip websites start telling you rubbish, I want you to know it’s been my decision alone and I’m not being shoved out the door by the boys’ club because I’m too old.

‘I’m not too old, I’m just a bit tired. And for the record both the boys and the girls have asked me to stay.

The uncompromising TV presenter whose been with Channel Nine for more than 40 years said ‘she’s basically been a shift worker for 26 years’ which has taken time away from her family.

‘I’ve talked to people who’ve made us all laugh and cry, who’ve shared their triumphs and their challenges and their wisdom and despair,’ she said.

‘And because it’s your show not mine and you get to vote each night with your remote control, you told us you wanted more of that.

‘So thank you for that opportunity. Thank you for your loyalty. I hope I’ve repaid it.’

‘I’m around until November then I’m going to take a long holiday, but it’s business as usual until then. See you tomorrow night.’