Karl Stefanovic forced off air by Nine boss over summer

CHANNEL Nine has forced Karl Stefanovic off the air over summer in the wake of his marriage split, telling him to spend time with his family.

CHANNEL Nine is forcing Karl Stefanovic to take a complete break from television for at least a month in the wake of his marriage split.

The revelation comes as rumours continue to swirl that the Today co-host’s estranged wife Cassandra Thorburn will join rival Seven breakfast show Sunrise.

In late September it was revealed that Stefanovic and Thorburn had separated after 21 years of marriage. The pair has three children.

The Today show team will be down one member over the Christmas break. Picture: Lachie Millard

Stefanovic has continued to co-host Today with Lisa Wilkinson in the wake of the marriage split and is currently in New York covering the US election for Nine.

But Stefanovic’s work commitments will come to a halt once the 2016 ratings year is over on November 26.

“Previously what we’ve done with Karl is that he has often shot 60 Minutes stories over the summer,” Nine News boss Darren Wick told News Corp.

“We don’t want him doing that this year — just have a break. Obviously what he’s working through with his family situation ... he needs to have a break and just rest and spend time with his family.”

“He’s going to do that and come back fresh next year.”

Stefanovic has a busy 2017. Not only will he continue to co-host Today, he will also host prime time show This Time Next Year. The observational series which follows ordinary Australians who have pledged to make major life changes over the course of a year.

Karl will take time off to spend with his three kids over summer. Picture: Supplied

Stefanovic played a major part in Nine’s 2017 programming presentation yesterday, featuring in a lengthy live cross from New York alongside political commentator Laurie Oakes.

Stefanovic told the audience of advertisers and media that his daughter Ava isn’t a fan of Republican candidate Donald Trump.

“A couple of months ago my girl came home from school and she said “Daddy, I want to talk to you ... I don’t like that Donald Trump,” Stefanovic said.

“I said ‘why not’ and she said ‘because he wants to build a wall’”.

Late last year it was no sure thing that Stefanovic would return to the breakfast show. He finally signed in December after three months of protracted negotiations.

“He had finished his contract and obviously was in a position of thinking “OK, do I want to go on with breakfast”, Wick says.

Karl has kept his trademark happy face on in the wake of his split with wife Cassandra. Picture: Supplied

“Happily he stuck with breakfast television. I think it has really been the best thing for him and the show and the team.

“Everybody remembers Karl for his jokes. He’s a bit of a character. But he’s also one of the best breaking news anchors in this country.”

Today’s other on-air talent, including Wilkinson and entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins will also take staggered time off over summer.

“The hours they put in, the early starts, it is pretty full on and can be pretty stressful,” Wick says. “You’re working crazy hours. There’s sleep deprivation. So it is really rewarding for them to get a result like that. It has been a long time coming.”

Originally published as Karl Stefanovic forced off air by Nine boss over summer