David ‘Kochie’ Koch makes surprise return to Sunrise two months after leaving breakfast program

Beloved TV journalist David Koch has made a surprise return to Sunrise just months after quitting the show after 21 years as host.

There was a familiar face on Sunrise this morning when former host David “Kochie” Koch graced the screen in a surprise appearance.

The 67-year-old’s return comes just two months after he departed his long-running gig at the Seven network, making way for Matt Shirvington to take up the post next to Natalie Barr.

While Koch may have called time on his hosting duties, he is still exercising his expertise as a finance journalist. He was invited onto the show in a financial advice news segment where he weighed in on the cost-of-living pressures.

“Let’s bring in someone who knows a little something about personal finance,” said Barr as she introduced him on the show. “Good morning to you, David Koch.”

“Morning, you two,” he replied via video satellite, as an applause could be heard from the Sunrise crew off-camera.

David Koch was a surprise guest this morning on Sunrise.

Before delivering his cost of living advice to viewers, Barr congratulated her former co-host on his new gig: economic director at online comparison website Compare the Market.

“You know how I’ve rattled on for years for people to shop around when it comes to insurances, energy bills and home loans and the whole lot ... They approached me and said, ‘Hey, can you come and help our Compare the Market clients and give them a bit of advice?’” he shared.

“As you know, that’s my sweet spot being a finance nerd all these years, so it’s really good to be able to join the team and really help the Compare the Market clients.”

The former breakfast TV host announced his new gig with Compare the Market.

Koch said it was a no-brainer because his wife, Libby, has been a “Compare the Market disciple for years and years” and she “compares every renewal notice that comes in for us”.

As his segment almost came to an end, Barr and Shirvington took the opportunity to ask Koch how he’s been doing since leaving the show – and its early morning starts – back in June.

“I am enjoying the sleep ins. I feel like a new man,” he said, before adding: “I’m not sure Lib is enjoying me being awake so late at night because it interrupts all her [TV] shows.”

Koch hosted Sunrise for a record-breaking 21 years. Picture: Daily Telegraph/ Monique Harmer

Koch devastated viewers back in May when he announced he was leaving the program after 21 years to spend more time with family and pursue other endeavours.

“I have decided to hang up the boots as co-host of Sunrise. After nearly 21 years and over 5300 shows …” he said on air, while getting emotional.

“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.”