Natalie Barr mysteriously disappears from Sunrise; replaced by a new host

Sunrise viewers were left scratching their heads Tuesday morning after host Natalie Barr mysteriously disappeared from the show.

She sneaked out of the studio while her co-anchor David ‘Kochie’ Koch was reading the 8 a.m. news bulletin and was replaced by fill-in anchor Monique Wright.

When the cameras returned to the newsroom at 8:01 a.m., the voiceover welcomed “Kochie and Nat,” but Monique was sitting in her chair.

‘Good day! Let’s go back now for our 8 am Sunrise time. Thank you very much for joining us,’ said a cheerful Monique.

‘What the hell are you doing here?’ Kochie asked him.

As the crew laughed at the sudden change on the panel, Monique quipped, “Nat just ran off and I was under the couch.”

Kochie then explained why Natalie was forced to make a quick exit, revealing that she had just gotten an “exclusive interview” and had a flight to catch.

She’s running to the airport as we speak. We’ll bring it to you tomorrow,’ she said.

Meanwhile, Monique will be in the chair for the rest of this morning.

No further details were released about Natalie’s upcoming interview.

His sudden departure from the show on Tuesday follows the news that Kochie is planning his retirement.

In October, he re-signed with Seven for another two years.

He agreed to a contact extension that locked him in until the end of 2024, but negotiated “greater flexibility” in his schedule.

He signed the deal on October 19 in a meeting with Seven Network CEO James Warburton, during which he expressed interest in retiring.

She sneaked out of the studio while Kochie (right) was reading the 8am news bulletin and was replaced by fill-in presenter Monique Wright (left).

Warburton was able to convince him to postpone his retirement plans for another two years, but agreed to draw up a contract that allowed the longtime presenter to “take further breaks from the show in accordance with his requirements,” he reported. the aussie.

This adds to Kochie’s already relaxed work schedule that sees him hosting Sunrise four days a week, taking Fridays off.

Kerry Stokes, the billionaire chairman of the Seven Network, was understood to have played a “pivotal role” in Kochie’s contract renegotiations.

Having gained more “flexibility” with his schedule, Kochie hopes to spend more time with his wife Libby and focus on their Ausbiz TV and Pinstripe Media businesses.

Kochie is planning her retirement, but in October she pledged to stay on Channel Seven’s breakfast show for at least another two years with flexible hours. (She is seen here at the 2019 Logie Awards with Samantha Armytage, Natalie Barr and Mark Beretta)

“I’m grateful to James and Kerry Stokes for approaching it in this way,” he said.

“I had long talks with both of them and they asked if there was a way to come up with a plan that would give you the flexibility you want and give you a connection to the grid and continued focus on Sunrise. I love him so much. So I’m very lucky to have the best of all worlds.’

News of Kochie’s two-year contract extension came after sources told Daily Mail Australia that he was seriously considering retiring but was swayed by the prospect of covering King Charles’ coronation at Westminster Abbey in May. to stay

Meanwhile, seven bosses were said to be understandably interested in him staying at Sunrise, which he began hosting as an alternate in 2002.

Since then, the show has nearly slaughtered Nine Rival Today, gaining every year in viewership since 2004, and every week in the five-city metropolitan market since 2018.

Kochie (pictured with former host Mel Doyle) has helped Sunrise slaughter Nine’s Today show, gaining every year of ratings since 2004, and every week in the five-city market since 2018.