David Koch reveals his secret text message exchange with Karl Stefanovic after resignation

David Koch has revealed he received a ‘great’ message from his breakfast show rival Karl Stefanovic after announcing he was leaving Sunrise on Monday.

The 67-year-old told his co-host Natalie Barr on Tuesday how he had exchanged a text message with Karl following the news of his departure.

Thank you to everyone who has been so kind. Incredible reports,” Kochie said.

‘A beautiful, stylish, respectful one from Karl Stefanovic. It was so much fun, really love that one, but so many great messages.”

Koch also told Daily Mail Australia on Monday that he received a text message from one of his old co-hosts Melissa Doyle.

“I just checked because I have a lot of messages, I saw one from Mel and I’m sure there will be a lot of others in the list, but I’ve spoken to a lot of journalists and done interviews. ,’ he said.

Kochie surprised his colleagues on Monday when he announced his resignation from the popular breakfast show after 21 years.

Behind-the-scenes photos show his co-hosts Natalie Barr, Edwina Bartholomew and Mark Beretta getting emotional between breaks.

During his on air announcement, Natalie looked heartbroken when Kochie said he had spent more time with her than with members of his own family in recent years.

He said he left the hit show to focus on his own business and enjoy more flexible work hours to spend time with his growing family.

Koch joined Sunrise in 2002 to present financial reports and in October of that year became Chris Reason’s replacement when the journalist was diagnosed with cancer.

Not much was initially expected of Koch’s pairing with Doyle in the face of Today’s dominance.

“Remember, when we started this, it was before Facebook,” Koch said. “We were I think five percent of the Today show audience at the time.

‘No one looked at it. Nobody cared about us. Seven executives didn’t care about us.

‘We started in a demountable office in the parking lot at the studios in Epping. No one tossed.

“And that was the secret for us because we were just very quietly able to try different things, make mistakes and build a really loyal audience for which I will be eternally grateful.”

Koch was proud to go out as the winner, with Sunrise still dominant.

“Everyone wants to do the best and have the best product possible,” he said. “And I leave this job with tremendous pride and gratitude for being part of it.”