Karl Stefanovic’s departure from Channel Nine has sent shockwaves across the globe, with Australian fans abroad sharing their dismay in a new viral video.
On Thursday, a group of Aussie football fans voiced their support for Stefanovic while gathered in a California pub ahead of the Socceroos’ World Cup showdown against Paraguay.
Video captured by Thomas McNally showed supporters breaking into chants of ‘We want our Karl back’ at San Pedro Square Market as Nine’s Washington correspondent Lauren Tomasi broadcast live from the fan hub before the match.
Onlookers laughed as they watched the scene unfold, with one man joking: ‘We don’t actually’.
The chants were not heard during Ms Tomasi’s 6am cross, in which she described a huge show of support for the Socceroos in California and said fans had completely filled the pub ahead of the crucial match.
She told viewers the Australian squad had been out stretching their legs earlier in the morning and appeared relaxed and prepared as anticipation built over the starting line-up.
On Thursday, a group of Aussie football fans voiced their support for Karl Stefanovic while gathered in a California pub ahead of the Socceroos’ World Cup showdown against Paraguay
Video captured by Thomas McNally showed supporters breaking into chants of ‘We want our Karl back’ at San Pedro Square Market as Nine’s Washington correspondent Lauren Tomasi broadcast live from the fan hub before the match
During another live cross just after 7am, Ms Tomasi joked the crowd was becoming ‘very, very well hydrated’ in the California heat, adding that the atmosphere inside the pub had become so loud she had to step outside.
She also remarked that Australian supporters were ‘everywhere you look’ as fans gathered in force ahead of the game.
It was announced on Friday that Stefanovic would be leaving Nine following the fallout from his controversial interview with Tommy Robinson.
His Today co-host Sarah Abo broke down in tears as she announced the news on Friday morning after mounting speculation about his future at the network.
‘Look, we know there has been a lot of speculation about Karl’s future with the show. Today we wanted to inform you that Karl will not be returning to the Today show or to Nine,’ she said.
Fill-in host Tom Steinfort said it was ‘no longer possible’ for Stefanovic to work on both the breakfast show and his podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show.
‘As you know, he’s been pursuing a podcast project independently of Nine for the past few months, and it’s been decided he’ll be injecting all of his energy and attention into that, as doing both is no longer possible,’ he said.
In a statement to The Daily Mail, Channel Nine said that they agreed with Stefanovic that he should leave the show ‘immediately’.
It was announced on Friday that Stefanovic would be leaving Nine following the fallout from his controversial interview with Tommy Robinson
His co-host Sarah Abo broke down in tears as she announced the news live on-air on Friday morning after mounting speculation about Stefanovic’s future at the network
Stefanovic uploaded a controversial chat with British far-right activist Robinson (pictured) to his YouTube channel podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, on Tuesday, only to delete it hours later after facing widespread backlash
‘Nine Entertainment and Karl Stefanovic have agreed that it is no longer possible for him to continue hosting Today at the same time as his independent podcast,’ they said.
‘While Karl and Nine had previously agreed he would leave Today at the end of this year, they have subsequently decided he will leave the Network immediately.’
Shortly after the announcement, Stefanovic addressed his Today show fans in a video, believed to be filmed in a park in London, saying the last few days ‘hadn’t been easy’ but he was happy to be ‘truly independent’ at last.
Stefanovic was set to resign from Nine following late-night talks on Wednesday with the network over his interview with Robinson.
He uploaded a controversial chat with the British far-right activist to his YouTube channel podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, on Tuesday, only to delete it hours later after facing widespread backlash.
Stefanovic, who is on two weeks’ leave in London, was told the network ‘wanted to part ways’.
The TV star, who has been a Nine stalwart for some 25 years, has six months and over $1million left to be paid on his 12 month contract.
According to sources via news.com.au, he is pushing for a full payout of the remainder of his contract – similar to the lucrative exits secured by former Nine radio heavyweights Alan Jones and Ray Hadley – despite their vastly different departure circumstances.
