Sylvia Jeffreys has been a fan favourite ever since her debut on the Today show back in 2014.
And according to a new report published in The Daily Telegraph on Saturday, the decision not to have the 31-year-old replace Lisa Wilkinson as a temporary co-host is ‘understood to have caused tension on set’.
Instead, the interim position went to Weekend Today’s Deborah Knight, after producers scrambled in the wake of Lisa’s shock resignation from the show on Monday night.
Snubbed? According to The Daily Telegraph, newsreader Sylvia Jeffreys has ‘long been groomed for the role’ of Today co-host, and there was ‘tension on set’ when the temporary position went to Deborah Knight
According to The Telegraph, Sylvia ‘has long been groomed for the role’ of Today co-host.
Instead, she has been keeping her regular position as the program’s newsreader.
The bubbly blonde’s name has been floated around as a potential permanent replacement for Lisa’s gig, with Chris Bath and Georgie Gardner also reportedly being considered.
Potential replacements? Georgie Gardner (left) and Chris Bath (right) have reportedly been considered to replace Lisa on Today
Georgie- who previously held Sylvia’s position as Today’s newsreader- kept mum on rumours when contacted by The Telegraph on Friday.
‘I am not even in a position to comment,’ the 46-year-old said.
Should Sylvia secure Lisa’s position it would mean she would host Today with her brother-in-law Karl Stefanovic, as she is married to his younger brother Peter.
Temporary co-host: Deborah Knight has been filling in after Lisa Wilkinson’s shock exit from Today
Loved up: Should Sylvia get the gig, she will co-host alongside Karl, who is her husband Peter’s (pictured) brother
Meanwhile, Sylvia has spoken out in support of her mentor Lisa.
‘Lisa stands up for what she believes in and she should be very proud of that,’ she told The Courier Mail on Friday.
She added: ‘I know she is excited to embrace her next chapter and I’ll be there to cheer her on.’
Sylvia went on to say that Lisa’s decision to take a stand against unequal pay has left an ‘impressive mark’ upon women around Australia and has inspired them to follow her lead.
Support: Sylvia lent her support to former co-star Lisa Wilkinson when speaking with The Courier Mail on Friday