Host of ‘TODAY‘ Karl Stefanovic has had a rough couple of months.
Earlier this year, news broke that Australia‘s fave television larrikin was in the midst of divorce, and was staying with friends after separating his now ex-wife, Cassandra Thorburn.
The pair had been married for 21 years, and have three children together.
Many viewers noticed that Karl was missing for just one day at the end of September, but 9 News boss Darren Wick has told Newscorp that they’ve forced Stefanovic to take a lengthy break over summer.
“Previously what we’ve done with Karl is that he has often shot 60 Minutes stories over the summer.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.”
Reports surfaced earlier this week that Thorburn was in talks to join the morning show ‘Sunrise’, the Channel 7 rival of ‘TODAY‘.
Wick says that Karl’s co-hosts Lisa Wilkinson and Richard Wilkins would stagger their own time off over summer, explaining that the early morning hours of breakfast television takes its toll even in the best of times.
“The hours they put in, the early starts, it is pretty full on and can be pretty stressful. You’re working crazy hours. There’s sleep deprivation.”
Stefanovic will return to television in 2017, resuming his hosting duties of ‘TODAY‘ as well as hosting a prime time show called ‘This Time Next Year‘, which follows ordinary Aussies who have pledged to make some kind of major life change over 12 months.
Source: Newscorp.
Photo: Don Arnold / Getty.
