Lisa Wilkinson breaks silence on Karl’s axing

Soon after Karl Stefanovic was booted, his former Today co-host Lisa Wilkinson sent him a very public message.

Lisa Wilkinson has broken her silence on Karl Stefanovic’s dumping from Today, writing that “when it was good, it was great”.

In an awkward coincidence, Stefanovic’s axing fell on Wilkinson’s birthday, with The Project host sharing a celebratory post on her Instagram account.

Two hours before Stefanovic’s exit was announced Wilkinson posted a photo of herself smiling and holding a bunch of flowers writing she was “feeling very blessed”.

“Birthday flowers and bare feet … the perfect holiday combination,” Wilkinson’s caption read.

“Thanks so much to everyone who has been sending me lovely messages. Feeling very blessed today.”

After Stefanovic’s dumping was announced, Wilkinson shared another post to Instagram wishing him the best and writing: “Because when it was good, it was great...”

MORE: Today axing caps off Karl Stefanovic’s horror year

Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

In a statement, Channel 9 news director Darren Wick confirmed Stefanovic was leaving after 14 years as host of Today.

Stefanovic, who is currently on his honeymoon after marrying Jasmine Yarbrough in Mexico, received a call following crisis talks at the network.

“Nine and Karl Stefanovic have agreed it is time for him to step off the Today show,” the statement read.

“Karl remains on contract with the network and will continue to host (his other show) This Time Next Year.”

Stefanovic’s dumping is a stunning about-face for the TV star, who last year was steadfastly defended by the network after Wilkinson abruptly left Nine over a pay dispute.

Wilkinson departed Today after 10 years in October 2017 after the network refused to pay her the same salary as Stefanovic.

Stefanovic bid farewell to Wilkinson on air in a glowing tribute

In a divisive move, Nine CEO Hugh Marks outlined publicly why he thought Stefanovic was worth more than Wilkinson — and what she had wanted.

“I went to an incredible amount of trouble to build that ($1.8 million) package for her. She wanted $2.3 million. It wasn’t a $200,000 shortfall to (Karl’s) $2 million magic number. It was $500,000,” he told TheDaily Telegraph at the time.

A Nine executive also claimed Stefanovic was worth more because of his extra duties on 60 Minutes and This Time New Year.

“Karl is worth more money. That’s just a fact,” they said.

A senior network source told Fairfax that meeting Wilkinson’s pay demands would have led to job cuts elsewhere.

Lisa Wilkinson on The Sunday Project

Karl Stefanovic was dropped from Today during his honeymoon

“If she got what she wanted we would have had to cut 10 producers’ jobs … that is the reality,” the insider said.

Almost immediately after leaving Nine, Wilkinson landed a role with Channel 10 on The Project and as executive editor of news website Ten Daily.

Speaking to Stellar in January, Wilkinson admitted salary had been a factor in her decision to leave the network.

“There were lots of reasons why it was time to make a move, and that (pay gap) was part of it. I was very happy that it reignited the conversation, because the gender pay gap is real,” she said.

But despite being able to raise awareness about the issue, Wilkinson said she felt a little sad about how her time on the show ended.

“These things are always a learning curve. That’s also really good for you,” she said.

“TV can be shallow, there’s no headline news there, but the relationships that really matter to me are intact.”