It’s war: Karl Stefanovic hires lawyers to go after his ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn

It seems Karl Stefanovic is fed up with his ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn’s media sprays, bringing in lawyers to shut her down.

Karl Stefanovic has declared war on his ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn, reportedly engaging high-powered lawyers in a bid to silence her increasingly bitter public tirades.

Just days after returning home to Australia from his honeymoon with new bride Jasmine Yarbrough, the ousted Today host seems to be fed up with the endless media sprays.

According to The Sunday Telegraph, solicitors acting on his behalf will this week issue a subpoena to the journalist and paparazzo who recorded Thorburn unleashing in an airport rant, Jonathan Marshall, who has told news.com.au he will hand over the material.

The explosive interview, which took place in the arrivals hall of Sydney Airport earlier this month, saw Thorburn describe her ex as “fake” and having “a lot to hide”.

The magazine New Idea bought the audio for $15,000 and published the comments.

He was all smiles yesterday but ousted Today host Karl Stefanovic has reportedly hired lawyers to go after his ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn. Picture: Matrix

The bitter war stems from comments Cassandra Thorburn made to a journalist, slamming her ex Karl Stefanovic.

In a later television appearance, Thorburn insisted she had not given an interview and claimed the remarks attributed to her were made up.

“Sunday Confidential believes Stefanovic’s long-time manager Sharon Finnigan has been dealing with Caroline Bass at Swaab Attorneys on her client’s behalf,” the newspaper wrote.

It’s understood Stefanovic believes the comments breach an agreement between the former couple, including not to speak negatively about each other in public.

Marshall told news.com.au today that he would provide the audio if required to.

“I will of course comply with any legal (instruction) and hand over whatever material I am required to,” he said.

“I wish Karl and Cass a very merry Christmas and hope both parties soak up lots of love from their nearest and dearest.”

Read more: Today show ‘clearing the decks’ after Karl’s exit

Cassandra Thorburn attacked her ex Karl Stefanovic’s lavish wedding to Jasmine Yarbrough in Mexico. Picture: Supplied

The Sunday Telegraph also reported that Thorburn has engaged lawyers of her own in an attempt to stop the recording being made public.

It’s believed New Idea will publish the audio on its website on Monday.

“That is likely to cause a massive credibility blow to Thorburn, who has denied giving any interview to a reporter at Sydney Airport,” the newspaper said.

WHAT CASS SAID

Journalist and photographer Jonathan Marshall approached Thorburn at the airport on December 9 and asked her thoughts about Stefanovic’s lavish Mexican wedding.

And his former wife didn’t hold back, unleashing on the glitzy nuptials.

“He’s thrown three weddings for goodness sake. Who needs three weddings in a year, give us a break,” Thorburn told Marshall.

Cassandra Thorburn strongly denied she gave an interview at the airport, but New Idea is reportedly preparing to release the audio. Picture: Jonathan Ng

She was referencing Stefanovic and Yarbrough’s commitment ceremony in March and their widely reported — but unconfirmed — legal marriage prior to leaving for Mexico.

Thorburn claimed the Today host had “a lot to hide” and “everything he says is about this fake person who lives in this fake castle”.

Thorburn also seemed to imply that Stefanovic’s claims he wore the same suit on Channel 9’s breakfast show every day for a year in 2014 apparently to prove a point about sexism, were not true.

“Did anyone go and check every tape of every day?” she asked.

“No. They just believed it because he said it. And one saying is that if I say it it’s true and that’s what he thinks.”

Cassandra Thorburn has made a number of media appearances and given television interviews in recent months. Picture: Getty Images

After their separation, Thorburn claimed Stefanovic had told her: “It is very, very hard to be the best journalist in Australia, quite possibly the world.”

The day after the airport comments were published, she appeared on Network Ten morning show Studio 10 and distanced herself from them.

DONE PLAYING NICE

On the back of being dumped from the Today show after 14 years — the news delivered in the midst of his honeymoon — Stefanovic looks to be preparing to fight back.

In addition to the potential legal action against his ex-wife, Stefanovic has also reportedly engaged an employment lawyer to examine the circumstances of his departure.

Reports indicate Karl Stefanovic is also talking to employment lawyers about the circumstances of his exit from the Today show. Picture: Matrix

While he remains under contract at Nine until the end of 2019, whispers from inside the network indicate he may be cut loose sooner than that.

News.com.au has approached Stefanovic’s representative for comment.