David Koch’s Sunrise farewell: Karl Stefanovic’s parting words for rival

With a warm embrace and a smile, Today’s Karl Stefanovic has offered parting words for outgoing Sunrise host David Koch on the eve of his departure.

It was anything but frosty as rival breakfast television rivals came face-to-face on Wednesday.

In fact, it was a love-in of sorts as Today co-host Karl Stefanovic paid tribute to outgoing Sunrise presenter David Koch.

And the pair even cosied up for a cuddle at Crown Sydney as displayed in this exclusive photograph obtained by Confidential.

Stefanovic was MC for the night as Crown celebrated Vivid at its stunning CIRQ rooftop venue.

His co-host Sara Abo was there, as were Kochie’s on air colleagues Natalie Barr and Mark Beretta.

Karl Stefanovic and David Koch shared a warm moment at the Crown Sydney x Vivid event. Picture: Scott Elher Photography

Former Sunrise co-host Sam Armytage was also in the mix.

“I’d like to acknowledge Crown has done an incredible job this evening in bringing the warring breakfast TV shows together under the one roof for the first time since the Logies,” Stefanovic said in his opening. “And lets face it, no one remembers the Logies.”

Kochie, 67, will finish on Seven’s Sunrise on Friday after 21 years with the top rating breakfast TV show with Matt Shirvington stepping in to the role from Monday.

Given their early morning starts, it is generally unusual for breakfast presenters to venture out for an evening soiree.

Breakfast boys... David Koch and Karl Stefanovic are rivals no more. Picture: David Caird

“I’m not sure if Kochie is here but I did want to acknowledge Kochie in a very serious way,” Stefanovic said. “He pulls up stumps at the end of this week and I just want to pay my respects to him on what a wonderful career it has been. It has been an extraordinary one for 21 years. He’s got up with the bakers and the road workers; and he has crunched it out across the nation. That can’t be underestimated the impact he has had. He’s also I think changed the whole way that news and breakfast news and breakfast TV is done in this country. And he has allowed someone like me, a loose unit like me, to also do the same for however long I do it for.”

Stefanovic, 48, added as he encouraged the crowd to give Kochie a round of applause: “Well done to Kochie. What a stellar career. To be honest, I’m glad he’s gone.”

Koch made the surprise announcement a fortnight ago and revealed on air that Stefanovic was among the many to have sent messages of support.

“Thank you to everyone who has been so lovely,” Koch told viewers at the time. “Unbelievable messages, a wonderful, classy respectful one from Karl … Karl Stefanovic was so nice, so really adored that one. So many great messages.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also among those to contact Koch, ringing the presenter when he was on the phone to Confidential.

“He just said, ‘it has been a remarkable career that you’ve been so influential in the media landscape, you tell it like it is, we’ve always enjoyed talking with you but we always know you will ask the questions that everyone wants answered,” Koch recounted of the call.

“That is what I have tried to do. I am not a media player. I have a big family, that has always been my first priority and hopefully I have been able to connect with people.”