Karl Stefanovic hits back at Today rumours: 'Absolute bulls**t'

Karl Stefanovic has hit back at claims he is leaving the Today Show following a report suggesting he is in talks with Nine to move to a more behind-the-scenes role so he can spend more time with his family.

A Nine spokesperson told Yahoo Lifestyle on Tuesday the rumours were untrue with Karl himself responding to them during a chat with 3AW's Neil Mitchell.

When asked if the rumours were true, Karl quickly responded, "No way, absolutely bulls**t."

Woman's Day reported earlier this week that Karl is looking to step back from his time onscreen.

They said the host is considered to be Nine’s “secret weapon”, with the network calling him “seal-the-deal Karl” and hoping he will be able to help negotiate major broadcasting rights for the NRL.

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A source reported that Karl may choose to wind back on his co-hosting duties in favour of more boardroom work, however, he would still report on big stories for Today, such as the bushfires or floods for example.

The insider told the publication, “After more than two decades at Nine, he remains their number one, and they’re doing everything to keep their star recruit happy for at least another 10 years.”

Karl has previously left the show after being axed after 15 years with the network in 2018 after Lisa Wilkinson left and the media began focusing on his divorce and subsequent marriage to now-wife Jasmine Yarbrough.

Details of a private conversation between Karl and his brother Peter Stefanovic also made headlines, and is believed to have led to his sacking.

During the call, Karl and Peter spoke unfavourably of their Channel Nine colleagues.

New Idea published an interview with an Uber driver who claimed to have heard their entire 45-minute speaker-phone conversation when Peter sat in the backseat.

As well as allegedly accusing his then-co-host Georgie Gardner of ‘sitting on the fence’, the driver claimed that Karl had criticised her for not having enough opinions.

However, after Karl left the show, ratings began to fall and he was later rehired in 2020 and began working with his current co-host Allison Langdon.

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