David Koch gets emotional as he quits as host of Sunrise after 20 years

Long-running Sunrise host David Koch has quit the show on-air this morning after 20 years in the role, as he held back tears announcing the news.

David Koch has quit as host of Sunrise on-air this morning.

The veteran Channel 7 presenter, who has been at the helm of the breakfast program for more than 20 years, announced the news to viewers around 8am.

“Before we move on, just a bit of news for me,” the 67-year-old began.

“I have decided to hang up the boots as co-host of Sunrise. After nearly 21 years and over 5300 shows ...” he stopped, holding back tears as his co-host Nat Barr got emotional. “Nat, stop it.”

He continued: “16,000 hours of TV, it is now time to work in business hours and have a bit of flexibility to focus more on our big family and the family business. And frankly, my football club as well (Koch is Chairman of the Port Adelaide Football Club).

“So after 20 consecutive premierships in the breakfast TV ratings game, I’m frankly finding it harder to get off the ground to take those marks and I think it’s time to bring in the next generation.”

Koch, whose original co-host was Melissa Doyle, said he’d been in the chair since “before Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and iPhones”.

“That’s how old I am,” he added.

Kochie announced his decision on Monday morning. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM

Nat Barr was seen wiping tears after the announcement. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM

Kochie hugs Kylie Gillies. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM

“I have loved every single minute of my time at Sunrise, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the last 21 years,” he continued.

“I’ve been privileged to experience so many adventures, to meet so many incredible people and to cover so many moments of history in the making. It really is the world’s best job.”

His last show is on June 9.

Koch, affectionately known as Kochie, is credited with building Sunrise’s viewership over the years, cementing its standing as the number one breakfast show on Australian television.

Natalie Barr, Samantha Armytage, David Koch and Mark Beretta. Picture: Channel Seven

Seven West Media Chairman, Kerry Stokes AC, said of Koch: “David has played a central part in turning around the fortunes of the Seven Network over the past two decades to where we continue to dominate the ratings from dawn with Sunrise, a program he has been with since October 2002.

“I will personally miss David, as he is a thorough professional and a wonderful human being, particularly in the manner he has mentored so many Seven people. I wish David and his wife Libby the best after what has been a rigorous work schedule, which has also included many pro bono roles in the sports and charity arenas.”

Melissa Doyle with David Koch originally hosted Sunrise together in 2002.

Koch, who was born in Adelaide, was a trained accountant before he got his first job writing in the business pages for The Australian in the early 1980s, and has since been recognised as a pioneer in consumer finance journalism.

After finding success in print, which saw him create Fairfax’s Personal Investment magazine before launching Money magazine in the UK, Kochie temporarily stepped in to replace Chris Reason as Sunrise host in 2002.

Reason had stepped down after being diagnosed with cancer, but never returned as host, with Koch’s position becoming permanent.

Koch has been married to his wife, Libby, since 1979, and the couple share four children.