Popular TV personality ... Waleed Aly. Picture: Channel Ten Source: Channel 10

The appointment breaks new ground. Aly, 36, is the first Muslim to co-host a major prime time television show on an Australian commercial network.

Aly takes over from Rove McManus who had a six-month stint on The Project after the departure of Charlie Pickering. He begins his new role on January 26.

He said his Muslim heritage was not a factor of his working life.

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New face ... Waleed Aly will replace Rove McManus as co-host of The Project. Picture: Channel Ten Source: Channel 10

“It is something I’m aware of and it is something I value (but) it is not something that is front of mind when I’m doing my job,” he said.

“I love the range of The Project. I’m curious about everything. I know that The Project is very respected among news makers.

“I love Carrie and Pete as broadcasters and as people, so I can’t wait to take the reins from Rove.

“I’m not on a particular mission by taking this job.”

Speculation that Aly would join The Project has intensified in recent weeks. It comes after Radio National announced Aly was leaving his position as presenter of its evening program.

Aly, born in Melbourne to Egyptian parents and married with two children, has also worked as a lawyer, academic, and columnist.

“I have long been a fan of Waleed’s intellect and versatility,” Peter Meakin, Ten’s director of news and current affairs said.

Old crew ... The Project co-hosts Pete Hellier, Carrie Bickmore and Rove McManus who has just left. Picture: Channel Ten Source: Supplied

“As a full-time member of The Project team, he will help expand our horizons. I look forward to a year of serious fun.”

Aly has been on the committee of the Islamic Council of Victoria and is a regular commentator on Australian Muslim affairs.

“The thing about Australian TV is that the audience is a lot more diverse than the people on screen,” Aly said.

“That has been the case in Australia for a long time. (More on-screen diversity) has to happen at some point.

“One of the things that has pleased me most about the whole experience with Ten and The Project is that it (religious and ethnic background) has never come up.

“No-one has said ‘we’re keen to break new ground here by putting a non-white host on TV. That has not been a topic of conversation.

“That’s good. The barriers are starting to melt away.”