Georgie Gardner discusses her ‘tough’ year with Karl Stefanovic on the Today show

Georgie Gardner has spoken out about her ‘tough’ year working with Karl Stefanovic, ahead of his dismissal from the Today show in 2018.

The former Today show co-host told the It’s all her podcast that Karl’s private life overshadowed the breakfast program.

‘I hosted with Karl for a year, which was a lot of fun. But it was also a period in his personal life when a lot was happening,” said the 53-year-old.

‘And there was a lot of noise. We could never get any traction because there was always so much speculation about his private life.

‘It was really tough for him. And it was tough for us.”

Gardner went on to explain that she personally had no hard feelings towards Karl and that the couple was friendly.

“We got along really well and really loved each other, it was actually great chemistry,” she said.

“Anyway, one thing led to another: he was taken off the show. In fact, they sent everyone away, which was very difficult for me.’

After months of speculation, Stefanovic was finally dumped from the Today show in December 2018.

Channel Nine confirmed he was saying goodbye to the breakfast show after almost 14 years in the role.

‘I hosted with Karl for a year, which was a lot of fun. But it was also a period in his personal life when a lot was happening,” said the 53-year-old

The beginning of the program’s downward spiral dates back to September 2016, when it emerged that Karl had separated from his wife and the mother of his three children, Cassandra Thorburn (left)

Rumors swirled for months that Karl would be axed from the Today show due to its terrible ratings, caused by viewers’ dissatisfaction with his controversial personal life.

As a result, the Today show suffered a decline in ratings, falling to a 12-year low in recent months.

The beginning of the program’s downward spiral dates back to September 2016, when it emerged that Karl had separated from his wife and the mother of his three children, Cassandra Thorburn.

A few months after the split, Karl started dating former model and shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough, who is ten years his junior.

Amid a series of negative headlines, Karl’s divorce, new marriage and attitude towards colleagues tarnished his public image.

A year later, it was announced that Karl would return to front the Today show alongside Allison Langdon, and as of 2020 he has been at the helm.

Gardner went on to explain that she personally had no hard feelings towards Karl and that the couple was friendly. “We got along really well and really loved each other, it was actually great chemistry,” she said