Karl Stefanovic returns to Today Show after last year’s split from Cassandra Thorburn

ANALYSIS: A refreshed Karl Stefanovic has returned to Channel Nine’s Today show after an enforced break of more than six weeks.

KARL Stefanovic has made a seamless return to Today after an extended lay-off following his split with wife Cassandra Thorburn.

The 42-year-old seemed refreshed as he co-hosted Nine’s breakfast show alongside Lisa Wilkinson, a day after returning from the USA.

“I’m pumped up and ready to go,” Stefanovic, who made no mention of the marriage breakup, said.

Stefanovic had an enforced break of more than six weeks over summer — a time he would usually do filming for 60 Minutes — and it seems to have done the trick.

Stefanovic’s only recent work duties came last week when he covered Donald Trump’s US Presidential inauguration.

“You should go on holidays more often,” news presenter Sylvia Jeffreys told Stefanovic at one point.

Stefanovic was in a joking mood, with banter aimed at Jeffreys’ upcoming nuptials to his brother Peter Stefanovic, and Richard Wilkins on the red carpet for the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles.

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Karl Stefanovic returned to the Today Show with a seamless return. Picture: Supplied

“By day three, I won’t be coming up with that edgy stuff,” Stefanovic quipped.

Tennis great Pat Cash was also a target of Stefanovic’s quips during an interview about Roger Federer’s Australian Open win.

More joking — between Stefanovic and Wilkinson — came during a technology segment when discussion turned to the noises people make while they are sleeping.

“It is nice to see you again,” Stefanovic told Wilkinson. “Good to have you back,” Wilkinson replied.

Stefanovic turned serious for discussions about the Melbourne’s Bourke Street mall tragedy with Nine reporter Christine Ahern and a cash flow crisis for small business with finance expert Ross Greenwood.

Karl Stefanovic on holidays last year at Christmas Day festivities. Picture: Instagram

Other topics included the looming bushfire threat in south eastern Australia and protests at Trump’s Muslim travel ban.

Stefanovic capped his first day back on the job by hosting Today’s Mixed Grill segment. During the segment he labelled boxer Anthony Mundine’s announcement that he would sit during the national anthem at his upcoming bout against Danny Green “a publicity stunt”.

Anthony Mundine has said he will refuse to stand for the National Anthem. #9Today pic.twitter.com/jrgpcaemEE

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) January 29, 2017

Nine news chief Darren Wick has described Stefanovic as “the best breaking news anchor in the country” but acknowledged that the star needed a break at the end of last year.

“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,” Wick said. “He’s going to do that and come back fresh.”

Originally published as Karl Stefanovic returns to Today Show after last year’s split from Cassandra Thorburn