Karl Stefanovic denies rumours he’s leaving the Today show

Karl Stefanovic has been grilled on rumours he planned to leave the Today show to take up a surprising new opportunity.

Karl Stefanovic has hit back at rumours that he is stepping away from his role as co-host on the Today show.

When asked by 3AW’s Neil Mitchell if the rumours were true, Stefanovic replied: “No way, absolutely bullsh*t.”

On Monday, Woman’s Day reported that Stefanovic would be stepping away from his position as breakfast television co-host for Channel 9 and would focus on producing more stories for 60 Minutes.

The report declared that Stefanovic would continue to play a behind-the-scenes role at the Today show that would allow him to spend more time with his family.

Karl Stefanovic has hit back at rumours that he is stepping away from his role as co-host on Today. Picture: Today/Channel 9

Karl and his wife Jasmine’s daughter Harper May turns two next week. He also has three children with his ex Cassandra Thorburn.

3AW reported that insiders from Channel 9 had also dismissed the Woman’s Day report, saying it was “utter nonsense, make believe”.

The Woman’s Day report had relied on a “well-placed insider” who claimed Stefanovic also wanted to spend time getting people back to regional Australia.

“Last week he was in country Victoria and NSW with the charity Gotcha4Life’s Mateship Miles Roadshow – he’s passionate about this sort of stuff,” the article said.

While Stefanovic visited several regional towns around Victoria, ACT and NSW to discuss regional issues and raise money for mental fitness organisation Gotcha4Life, there was no suggestion on the tour that he would be leaving Today.

Karl Stefanovic and his wife Jasmine Stefanovic. Picture: Instagram

Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson just days after she joined the Today show in May 2007. Picture: It Wasn't Meant To Be Like This by Lisa Wilkinson

This is not the first time there has been suggestion that Stefanovic would be departing the channel. In 2018, he was axed from Today after 15 years with the network.

At the time the Today show had suffered a significant slide in ratings after the departure of co-host Lisa Wilkinson and Stefanovic’s private life had become the subject of tabloid scrutiny.

Fallout from details of an embarrassing phone call between Stefanovic and his brother Peter were leaked to New Idea and were believed to have contributed.

He was reinstated after one year as his replacements failed to deliver on ratings.

The director of Nine News, Darren Wick, said at the time: “We took a bold decision to try something new with two women hosting the Today show this year and regrettably that has not worked for the audience.”

Originally published as Karl Stefanovic denies rumours he’s leaving the Today show