Today Show hosts have emotionally said goodbye to their former colleague Karl Stefanovic following the announcement he would leave Nine "effective immediately".
Yesterday, it was revealed the broadcaster who had been with the network for 26 years would depart following a podcast interview, unrelated to Nine, with British anti-Islam figure Tommy Robinson.
In a statement today, Nine said that while the two parties had previously agreed Stefanovic would leave at the end of the year, they now agreed it was no longer possible for him continue hosting the show, and he would depart immediately.
“Nine Entertainment and Karl Stefanovic have agreed that it is no longer possible for him to continue hosting Today at the same time as his independent podcast,” the statement said.
“While Karl and Nine had previously agreed he would leave Today at the end of this year, they have subsequently decided he will leave the network immediately.”
The veteran broadcaster's departure was addressed on the Today programme by co-host Sarah Abo, Tom Steinfort, newsreader Jayne Azzopardi and Richard Wilkins.
"We know there has been a lot of speculation about Karl’s future with the show," said Abo.
"This morning we wanted to inform you that Karl will not be returning to the Today Show or Tonight.
"As you know, he’s been pursuing a podcast project independent of Nine for the last few months, and it’s been decided he’ll be injecting off of his energy and attention into that as doing both is no longer possible.
They said it was a "huge change for our viewers, and for us, not just here on the desk but behind the scenes" as Stefanovic had been at the network for more than two decades.
Holding back tears, Abo said “he is our mate, he is our colleague and it goes without saying that Karl's presence will be missed".
Wilkins said he’d known Stefanovic for "quarter of a century, I think it is".
"Karl and I have been brothers in arms very much on a daily basis, but we’ll retain our friendship. I wish him and his beautiful family nothing but the very best and success in the future,” he said.
Abo said: “We’ve spoken to a lot of people over the past few days who have varying emotions, they’re upset, they’re angry, they’re sad this is all happening and we all wish it wasn’t ending like this.
“And that we could say goodbye to you, Karl, our friend, in a different way. But as Dickie said, we wish you all the best. Yeah... a tough day.”
Stefanovic previously worked as a reporter for TVNZ’s 1News in 1996
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