Kochie goes rogue, giving away $3000 after quitting on air

Breakfast TV star David Koch has stunned viewers with a rogue charitable act after quitting his long-running spot on air.

Sunrise viewers have been left stunned twice today after host David Koch gave a caller $3000 just moments after announcing his his retirement live on air.

The “rogue” cash offer - five times the amount the woman needed to pay for her car registration - came shortly after the Australian media stalwart gave viewers his two-week notice live on air.

As part of the show’s ‘Bill Barrel’ segment, Koch and Nat Barr asked the winning Queensland viewer Melanie Turner how much she needed in bill support.

“My car registration is due today, as a matter of fact … $520,” Ms Turner told the TV hosts.

They then told Ms Turner they were “feeling generous” and would be sending $1500 her way instead – before Koch took it a step further.

“Mel, I’ve only got two weeks to go. I’m going rogue. We’re going to [give] $3000 to you,” he said.

“I’m going to go rogue every day for the next two weeks.”

Sunrise host David Koch gave a caller $3000, despite needing just $520 to pay their car registration, just moments after he announced his retirement live on air.

Earlier in the show, the veteran Channel 7 presenter, who has been at the helm of the breakfast program for more than 20 years, announced his retirement to viewers at 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.

David Koch quit Sunrise on air this morning in a touching farewell. Picture: Channel 7

“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.

“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 said.

“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.”

Koch said he hoped to spend more time with family and working in his capacity as chairman of the Port Adelaide Football Club. Picture: Supplied

Koch, who is fondly referred to as Kochie, is recognised for increasing Sunrise’s audience over time, establishing its position as the top morning program on Australian TV.

Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes 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.”