Karl Stefanovic heads to Paris wedding during Matt Shirvington’s first week hosting Sunrise
Terribly timed holiday from Karl Stefanovic: Host heads to star-studded wedding in Paris with wife Jasmine today during Matt Shirvington’s first week as host of Sunrise
Karl Stefanovic took a two week vacation during Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington’s first week on Sunrise.
The Today anchor, 48, was set to compete against David Koch’s replacement, 44, but is instead MC’ing at chicken heiress Tamie Ingham’s wedding to Guillaume Brahimi in Paris.
The ratings war is now left to his co-host Sarah Abo and understudy, Nine’s political editor Charles Croucher.
“The timing is just awful. It has never been more important for Karl and Sarah to put together a united front,” a source told me New idea.
It’s crucial that Karl is there to prove what Today is made of, while Shirvo and Nat [Barr] try to get up without Kochie [David Koch].’
Karl Stefanovic took a two week vacation during Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington’s first week on Sunrise
Steven Burling, Nine Network’s director of morning television, however, defended Karl’s breakup, saying it was “purely coincidental.”
‘[Karl] booked a few months ago in this two weeks leave. That his vacation coincides with Shirvo’s first day is purely coincidental. Nothing more,” he said.
“Karl hasn’t had any time off since he started at the Australian Open in January.”
It comes after Channel Nine was forced to deny rumors of ‘tension’ between Karl and Sarah, 37, over a ‘$700,000 wage gap’.
The Today anchor, 48, was set to compete against David Koch’s replacement, 44, but attends a friend’s wedding in Paris instead, leaving the task of helping Sarah Abo and his understudy, Nine’s chief political editor Charles Croucher . Shirvo pictured with Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr
“The timing is just awful. It has never been more important for Karl and Sarah to put up a united front,” a source told New Idea
It was reported late last month that Karl earns $1.5 million a year for his hosting duties, while Sarah takes home $800,000 a year.
The alleged pay gap reportedly caused ‘tension’ between the two Today anchors, which Mr Burling categorically denied as ‘not even remotely correct’.
‘The salary figures of our network talent that were published in various media last week were not even remotely correct. Anyone watching Today can confirm that there is absolutely no tension on set,” said Mr Burling.
“We couldn’t be happier with our talented line-up of Karl, Sarah, Brooke, Alex and Tim who work well and have a great time – end of story.”
“The timing is just awful. It’s critical that Karl is there to prove what Today is made of, while Shirvo and Nat try to get on their feet without Kochie,” an insider said. David Koch pictured left during his last day on the Sunrise set