Sunrise host David ‘Kochie’ Koch ‘confirms’ Matt Shirvington is his replacement

David ‘Kochie’ Koch almost confirmed his replacement on Sunrise will be Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington with a cheeky remark on live radio on Friday.

The Sunrise anchor, 67, praised the athlete’s good looks on Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa Friday morning, saying his replacement would be “younger and prettier.”

While he avoided mentioning Shirvo’s name, there was no denying that his praise was a nod to his handsome replacement, who will be officially unveiled on Monday.

Host Michael Wipfli attempted to trick Kochie into confirming that the former sprinter would take over the reins as Sunrise’s new co-host alongside Natalie Barr.

However, the old presenter wouldn’t bite the bullet and instead said, “I can guarantee you this, my replacement will be younger and better looking.”

He then joked, “So I was going to say it [Fitzy and Wippa] were both in the race, but then I looked at you again.’

It comes just days after Channel Seven insiders confirmed that Shirvo will be crowned as Kochie’s successor after a three-year plan to prepare him for the top job.

They revealed that his role will be made official on Monday, June 5, four days before Kochie films his last show as a Sunrise presenter.

The Sunrise anchor praised the athlete’s good looks (pictured) on Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa Friday morning, saying his replacement would be “younger and prettier”

The new appointment follows a carefully curated training process for the popular TV presenter who is widely loved by Seven’s top executives and viewers.

It is clear that Kochie himself gave Shirvo his ‘blessing’.

“David believes Matt is a good fit for him and thinks he will do a fantastic job,” an insider told the Daily Mail Australia.

While he avoided mentioning Shirvo’s name, there was no denying that his praise was a nod to his handsome replacement, who will be officially unveiled on Monday. Pictured with Natalie Barr, co-host of Sunrise

‘He’s been filling in for David for a few years now and he’s made his mark. Viewers love him and he has a very good reputation internally, so it’s a natural step up for him.”

Shirvo was earmarked for the job in 2020 when he joined Seven’s Olympic coverage team – a role he fulfilled well during the postponed Games in 2021 and one that inevitably earned him his ‘hosting stripes’.

He also cut his teeth hosting roles on the mini golf game show Holey Moley and Ultimate Tag, which, while not a ratings hit, provided more evidence that he had the “chops” to handle a major format.

Shirvo, who has waited in the wings as Sydney’s weekend sports presenter for the past two years, will soon begin the daily 3am wake-up call – one of the many factors that ultimately led to Kochie’s decision to retire after 21 years. steps.

It comes just days after Channel Seven insiders confirmed that Shirvo will be crowned as Kochie’s successor on Monday, June 5, four days before Kochie films his final show on Sunrise