Karl’s awkward on-air crack about wife

HE HASN’T publicly addressed reports about his marriage split, but it seems Karl Stefanovic couldn’t help himself with this quip on Today this morning.

KARL Stefanovic may have just broken his silence about his much-publicised split from wife Cassandra Thorburn.

Stefanovic, who has not addressed his reported split with his wife of 21 years either on Today or in the media, appeared to make a sly crack about his situation while co-host Lisa Wilkinson was introducing a story this morning

“How much do you think your partner is worth?” asked viewers, before Karl chimed in:

“Heaps,” he said, a smirk on his face.

Yep, he went there.

The duo had been discussing the story of a woman who advertised her husband’s “high class handyman” services online for just $35.

An insider from Nine told The Courier-Mail earlier this week that executives at the network were doing what they could to keep the popular TV host’s personal life out of the headlines.

Previously organised interviews and photo shoots with key talent have been cancelled since the news of Stefanovic and Cassandra Thorburn’s separation broke.

The media blackout is having flow-on effects for businesses and charities aligned with Nine talent.

Reports initially surfaced last month that Stefanovic had split from his wife of 21 years.

According to The Sunday Telegraph, the Today host is understood to have moved out of the home he shares with Thorburn and their three children.

Stefanovic with wife Cassandra Thorburn at the 2011 Logie Awards.

Stefanovic has spoken of how Thorburn gave up a promising career at the ABC to raise their children, Jackson, 16, Ava, 11, and 10-year-old River.

Radio presenter Ben Fordham previously told Fairfax: “There’s no question that Cass is a crucial ingredient in Karl’s success.

“I think she’s ambitious for him … because she wants the best for Karl and she knows how talented he is.”