Sunrise: World reacts to host David Koch’s shocking on-air blunder

A harmless prank about nagging husbands backfired for Sunrise host David Koch on Friday after a guest revealed her husband was dying of cancer.

Koch, 66, and co-anchor Natalie Barr interviewed a contest winner who had booked a Caribbean cruise herself.

When Barr asked her who would accompany her on the journey, the woman replied, “I’m going to take my husband with me.” This prompted Koch to joke, “Oh, why?”

“Because he has terminal cancer,” was her deadpan reply.

Koch looked visibly shocked and simply muttered, “Oh…”

The embarrassing moment was later posted on Twitter and quickly went viral, gaining traction in Britain and the United States.

Koch, 66, and co-anchor Natalie Barr interviewed a contest winner (right) who had booked a Caribbean cruise herself. When Barr asked her who would accompany her on the journey, the woman replied, “I’m going to take my husband with me.” This prompted Koch to joke, “Oh, why?”

One Twitter user said, “I watched this 15 times in a row,” while another wrote, “NOOO.”

Earlier this week, Koch sparked rumors that he will be retiring soon, having spent 20 years at the helm of Channel Seven’s breakfast show.

He became visibly emotional on Tuesday as he watched a montage of highlights from his tenure on the program, as well as several video messages from celebrity guests such as Delta Goodrem.

“Because he has terminal cancer,” was her deadpan reply. Koch looked visibly shocked and simply muttered, “Oh…”

He later spoke of his “incredible” time on Sunrise as his co-hosts Barr, Mark Beretta and Edwina Bartholomew offered their congratulations.

“It’s one of the great joys of my life. It was unbelievable,’ he began, fighting back tears.

“You can’t get up winter, summer, the whole lot without doing it with people you love dearly.

Earlier this week, Koch sparked rumors that he will be retiring soon, having spent 20 years at the helm of Channel Seven’s breakfast show.

Berets, Nat, Eddy and [producer] Dave Walters, who has been in our ear as part of the team for 20 years, I am so incredibly grateful.”

“Thanks for having me for 20 years,” Kochie concluded.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, the financial journalist thanked the Sunrise team.

“Thank you for having @sunriseon7 for the past 20 years,” he wrote, before listing his “20 most memorable moments (in no particular order).”

He became visibly emotional on Tuesday as he watched a montage of highlights from his tenure on the program, as well as several video messages from celebrity guests.

“Anzac Day service on the Kokoda Track, climbing Kilimanjaro (twice) and getting lost on the ascent,” he gave as some examples.

Other highlights were when he co-hosted Sunrise with pop star Katy Perry and performed with rock band INXS.

Although he did not indicate his intention to retire, some viewers thought it was a farewell post.

“Is he leaving?” noted one concerned follower.

“Good luck, Kochie…enjoy your next adventures,” added another, while a third wrote, “Time for a change of sea.”

The financial journalist thanked the Sunrise team in an Instagram post on Tuesday. Although he did not indicate his intention to retire, some viewers thought it was a farewell message