‘I’ve been broken in the last two years,’ says Karl Stefanovic

KARL Stefanovic insists he’s “the world’s most boring man” and reveals two years of prying headlines “100 per cent” made him want to quit the Today show.

TWO years of prying paparazzi and lurid headlines in the wake of his marriage breakup, new love and ‘Ubergate’ have taken their toll on Today host Karl Stefanovic.

The Channel 9 star and highest paid man on Australian television says he has “100 per cent” considered quitting his Today role as the controversy has continued.

“I’ve been broken in the last two years, but you still have to come to work and do a breakfast show,” Stefanovic told TV Tonight.

But, he added: “There are a lot more people in this world going through hardship than Karl Stefanovic.”

In a wide-ranging interview with the TV website, Stefanovic said while the interest in his private life was a reality for anyone in the public eye, he didn’t understand why it was still regular fodder.

“Over the weekend I had four sets of paparazzi, and I’ve got my kids. I don’t know why. It’s complete bullsh*t. Why am I of interest? I’m the world’s most boring f***ing man,” he said.

“I go to work, I go home, I go for walks.”

MORE: Pete Stefanovic opens up about his relationship with brother Karl

He said the intense scrutiny makes “you have to decide if you want to stick it out in the job”.

“If you’re a politician or in the media you have to be ready to forgo privacy. And you can’t complain, because it gets worse. You have to be prepared to give up most of your private life, because you can’t do anything about it.”

Speaking from Melbourne as Today broadcasts for the week from the city where the breakfast show struggles for viewers against its rival Sunrise, Stefanovic also addressed recent reaction to some of his editorials, including two last week in which he rounded on Hugo Weaving and the Sunrise team for not planning to attend this Sunday’s Logies.

He said the editorials, which drew a stinging reaction from Sunrise host Samantha Armytage, were tongue-in-cheek.

“Everyone responded in a serious way,” Stefanovic said. “They need to have a little sense of humour. It was just a piss-take.

“I don’t mind a bit of a needle.”

"I hear our opposition isn't coming either this year. What, they're too good to support the local industry?" -@KarlStefanovic #9Today pic.twitter.com/j0TnyhQ43L

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) June 19, 2018