Lisa Wilkinson left the Today show last year in a move that shocked the industry, before being replaced as co-host by Georgie Gardner.
But before Lisa’s successor was officially announced, there was much speculation about who would take over the reigns alongside Karl Stefanovic.
In a News Corp interview from November, Karl even joked that his now-fiancée Jasmine Yarbrough was being considered for the position.
TV career? In a News Corp interview from last November, Karl Stefanovic joked that his now-fiancée Jasmine Yarbrough could possibly have replaced Lisa Wilkinson on the Today show
At the Melbourne Cup, Karl was asked who he thought would Lisa’s permanent replacement on Channel Nine’s breakfast show.
The 43-year-old couldn’t resist jokingly suggesting that Jasmine would be taking on the role.
‘Jasmine!’ Karl said, chuckling.
‘No, no, no’: Jasmine, a former fashion model who founded the Mara & Mine shoe brand, laughed at the suggestion and clarified she would ‘never’ join Today
Jasmine, a former fashion model who founded the Mara & Mine shoe brand, laughed at the suggestion and clarified she would ‘never’ join Today.
‘Aren’t you used to the publicity?’ the reporter then asked.
‘No, no, no,’ Jasmine replied.
During the interview, Karl diplomatically praised his former co-host Lisa and said he wished her ‘all the very best.’
Moving on: During the interview, Karl diplomatically praised his former co-host Lisa (seen) and said he wished her ‘all the very best’
‘It was tough, we didn’t know it was happening,’ he added said.
‘Lisa’s a great girl and we caught up last week. She’s in a great space and she’s looking forward to the future. I wish her all the very best.’
He added: ‘She’s a lovely woman. Love her.’
Lisa recently spoke to Stellar about her departure from Today, revealing that she had been considering leaving for a while.
New gig: Pictured is Georgie Gardner, who replaced Lisa
‘It was something I’d been thinking about for a couple of months, and very seriously,’ said the 58-year-old journalist.
‘The timing was just right. Publicly, it may have seemed like it happened very quickly, but it was something I was seriously contemplating. Then everything just fell into place.’
Lisa, who walked away from Today last October after producers were unwilling to pay her the same salary as Karl, now co-hosts Network Ten’s The Project.
New chapter: Lisa, who walked away from Today last October after producers were unwilling to pay her the same salary as Karl, now co-hosts Network Ten’s The Project