Channel Nine journalist Ben Fordham has been widely rumoured as the ‘network’s favourite choice’ to replace the now-axed Today show host Karl Stefanovic.
But on Thursday, Ben Fordham confirmed he would ‘definitely not’ be replacing the veteran anchor and wished him well for his future endeavors.
‘Karl’s done a great job hosting that show for a long long time. I lasted four years, he lasted 14 years. I was just privileged to spend four years in the crease,’ Ben said.
EXCLUSIVE ‘It was a privilege to work with you’: Ben Fordham send well-wishes to axed Today host Karl Stefanovic and confirms he ‘definitely won’t’ replace the anchor in 2019
The Sydney radio presenter and Nine reporter claimed he had sent his own personal message to Karl that morning following the news of his departure from the show.
Ben had long been tipped to take Karl’s job due to his ‘family-friendly image’ and ‘broad fanbase’, with rumours beginning in March following Karl’s Ubergate scandal.
However, when asked if he would step into Karl’s shoes, he claimed his current priority was to spend time with his two children – Freddy, three, and Pearl, two
‘Definitively not. I wake up with these guys in the morning, my wife (Jodie Speers) works in the morning, I don’t. I’m going to be home all the time.’
‘I wake up with these guys in the morning’: When asked if he would step into Karl’s shoes, Ben claimed his current priority was to spend time with his children – Freddy, three, and Pearl, two
Doting dad! Ben had long been tipped to take Karl’s job due to his ‘family-friendly image’ and ‘broad fanbase’, with rumours beginning in March following Karl’s Ubergate scandal
‘I haven’t been asked to do the job, I don’t expect that I’d be asked to do the job’: While Ben regularly fills in on the Today show (Pictured with Georgie Gardner), he has no desire to take on the gig full-time in 2019
Ben made sure to mention: ‘I haven’t been asked to do the job, I don’t expect that I’d be asked to do the job and I certainly am not in the position to do the job.’
He claimed Karl would ‘enjoy the time’ away from the show, which will no doubt free up his mornings to spend time with his new wife.
Ben also joked as he pointed to his two kids: ‘And as you can see there are other things in life to worry about than TV.’
‘My wife (Jodie Speers) works in the morning, I don’t. I’m going to be home all the time’: Ben says he enjoys spending the mornings with his two young children
Busy dad! The radio and TV presenter, 42, was all smiles with his adorable children, as he held his daughter in his arms
In October, Daily Mail Australia revealed that Ben was prepared to turn down an offer to host the Today show if Channel Nine decided to sack Karl.
A TV insider claimed that Ben – who is considered a ‘favourite’ at the network – was ‘adamant he [would] not accept the role in the near future’.
The media all-rounder, who has been with Nine for almost 20 years, supposedly made it clear to management he didn’t want to take over the reigns at Today in 2019 .
He’ll be right! Ben claimed Karl would ‘enjoy the time’ away from the show, joking as he pointed to his two kids: ‘And as you can see there are other things in life to worry about than TV’
‘Karl’s done a great job hosting that show for a long long time’: Ben praised Karl’s performance on the show for the past 14 years and said he had sent his own well-wishes to the star while he’s away with his new wife Jasmine in Aspen
Ouch! When news broke of Karl’s departure from the breakfast program he was on his honeymoon with new wife Jasmine (nee Yarbrough) in Aspen after their Mexico wedding
It is believed Karl’s personal life – including his engagement and recent wedding to shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough, who is nine years his junior – has been a major turn-off for female viewers.
While Karl will not return to the Today show, he will continue to host his Channel Nine show, The Time Next Year, and will likely appear on other programs on the network.
When news broke of Karl’s departure from the breakfast program he was on honeymoon with new wife Jasmine (nee Yarbrough) in Aspen.
His romance with the much-younger woman, 34, was widely speculated to be one of the reason for the show’s decline in ratings over the past two years – especially among female viewers.
Karl’s replacement for the Today show is yet to be officially announced.
Who will replace him? Karl’s replacement for the Today show is yet to be officially announced