Karl Stefanovic returns to TV after seven week hiatus following messy separation from Cassandra Thorburn

A BLEARY-EYED Karl Stefanovic has returned to TV screens after a seven-week hiatus following the breakdown of his marriage to Cassandra Thorburn.

KARL Stefanovic has returned to television screens after a seven-week hiatus following the breakdown of his marriage to Cassandra Thorburn.

While the 42-year-old won’t be back in the hosting seat on the Today show until Monday, he appeared as a correspondent on the morning program’s Friday edition, covering Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington.

The host looked tired and weary as fill-in hosts Sylvia Jeffreys and Tim McMillan crossed to him to discuss the lead up to Trump being sworn in. Despite his bleariness, he still managed to slip in some of his trademark cheekiness.

Quizzed on what he’d ask the President-elect at tomorrow’s inauguration, Stefanovic joked: “How do you get your hair so good?”

Jet lag ... Stefanovic looks a bit tired during the Today cross.

His return comes after Nine executives encouraged the host to take extended leave after the messy details of his separation from wife Cassandra Thorburn made headlines in October.

Stefanovic wrapped up his work commitments at the end of the 2016 ratings year, with his hosting duties coming to a halt on November 26.

Nine news boss Darren Wick told The Daily Telegraph they made the decision to rest Stefanovic for at least a month so he could come back fresh next year.

“Previously what we’ve done with Karl is that he has often shot 60 Minutes stories over the summer,” Wick said.

Stefanovic with Thorburn at the 2011 Logie Awards in Melbourne.

“We don’t want him doing that this year — just have a break. Obviously what he’s working through with his family situation ... he needs to have a break and just rest and spend time with his family. He’s going to do that and come back fresh next year.”

After his reporting stint in the US, Stefanovic will return to the Today desk on January 30.

The Today host cracks a joke with some Trump merchandise.

Originally published as Karl Stefanovic returns to TV after seven week hiatus following messy separation from Cassandra Thorburn