Cassandra Thorburn clears out the family home while Karl Stefanovic holidays in Los Angeles

WHILE Karl Stefanovic was making out with his new girlfriend in LA, his ex Cassandra Thorburn was in Sydney, packing up 21 years’ worth of memories.

WHILE Karl Stefanovic was snapped making out with his new girlfriend on a Los Angeles holiday, his wife Cassandra Thorburn was back in Sydney, lugging 21 years’ worth of memories out of the home they once shared.

It seems Thorburn was left in charge of clearing out the five-bedroom Lindfield family home she once shared with the Today host over the Easter long weekend. The 45-year-old mum-of-three was photographed on Good Friday carrying bags, boxes, suitcases and clothes out of the home to the family car.

Thorburn lugs a suitcase and some loose clothes to the car.

The mum-of-three makes numerous trips to clear out the five-bedroom home.

Removalists help move a wardrobe to the truck while Thorburn watches on.

Several removalists were on standby, carrying larger pieces of furniture to a truck. Later on, a forklift was used to shift more furniture.

While Thorburn said goodbye to the upper north shore home — which sold for $3.8 million soon after the couple’s split in November — Stefanovic was spending time with his 33-year-old girlfriend Jasmine Yarbrough in her hometown of Los Angeles.

Cassandra clutches various household items as she packs the car.

Removalists help pack up the larger items from the Lindfield home.

Thorburn helps the men get the belongings into the truck.

The 42-year-old host took a leave of absence from the Today show last week. And while Nine smacked down suspicion, explaining their host had taken the time off for “work and holiday”, photos surfaced of Stefanovic and Yarbrough passionately making out in LA.

One day after Stefanovic touched back down in Sydney on Sunday, New Idea published photographs of a passionate embrace between Stefanovic and his young girlfriend. The pictures show Yarbrough throwing herself into Stefanovic’s arms and then clinching her legs around his waist. The magazine also reported the host had plans to propose to his new girlfriend following the romantic getaway.

Cass looks in good spirits as she laughs with the men on the job.

Job done ... Thorburn chats with one of the removalists.

The effect Stefanovic’s split has had on Today’s ratings has been a hot topic among industry insiders in recent weeks. Over the weekend, the show’s executive producer Mark Calvert commented on the speculation and admitted the details being printed about his host’s separation may “take some of the shine off” for some viewers.

“I think there is no doubt that because of what people are reading and hearing, for a small section of the audience, that will take some of the shine off and there is no denying that,” he told The Australian.

“A big chunk of the audience when we are on the road and constantly getting feedback — there’s a huge chunk that think it is private and huge chunk that think that’s sad but that is life. Because of what they are reading and most of what they are reading is not true, but there is no doubt it has an ­impact.”

Today ratings have dropped to 284,000 viewers, down from 329,000 in the same quarter last year - although the show still wins in Sydney and Melbourne.

New Idea reports Stefanovic is planning on proposing to Jasmine.

Calvert defended Stefanovic and his work ethic, but admitted the host still “has his dark days”.

“It doesn’t distract from anyone including Karl, from providing the best news and entertainment for our viewers,” he said. “He still gets in the door at 4am and gets behind the camera at 5.30am. He is a great broadcaster and a good man.

“Karl is not a bad person, I know the pain he is going through.”